Spain sends hate speech against climate experts to prosecutors

Spain refers criticism of meteorologists to prosecutors: protection or censorship?

Third Vice President Sara Aagesen announced she will refer studies warning of increased attacks and hate speech against meteorologists, climate communicators, and journalists to the Public Prosecutor's Office. The measure, presented as defending professionals from harassment, has been met with widespread skepticism. The debate centers on whether the government action aims to protect scientific activity or silence legitimate criticism of the official climate narrative.

The legal framework: what does the Penal Code say?

Supporters of the measure point out that Article 510 of the Spanish Penal Code punishes incitement to hatred against vulnerable groups. However, critics recall that meteorologists and communicators are not a vulnerable collective, and that merely disagreeing with their forecasts or methodology should not be a crime. In the debate, AEMET's budget, 133.7 million euros in 2023, is cited as an example of a public body that, according to some, has lost credibility by changing tonalidad scales on its maps to exaggerate warming. "Thirty degrees in summer were colored yellow in the 2000s; now they paint them dark red," is one of the recurring criticisms.

Public response: between irony and indignation

Most reactions in the debate question classifying criticism of these professionals' work as a hate crime. Phrases such as "they have no clue" or "they get paid to transmit government ideology" are mentioned, wondering if that constitutes a crime. Some users recall that incivil categories for real threats already exist, and expanding hate crimes to scientific disagreement is a step toward censorship. There is also irony regarding comparisons with the Franco dictatorship, stating that "the dictatorship was Franco, but these guys have thought police."

An advertising campaign that adds fuel to the fire

Coinciding with the announcement, the government launched the first advertising campaign on climate change under the slogan "I trust you," with costs not detailed. Critics see this campaign as an attempt to mobilize public opinion against so-called "deniers," while the Executive defends it as necessary to counter disinformation. Debate data also indicate that the Senate has summoned Aagesen due to alleged irregularities at the Ministry, adding a context of political wear.

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The lingering question is whether judicializing the climate debate will reduce harassment or, conversely, feed polarization. The only certainty is that the confrontation between official discourse and skeptics has just begun.

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