Spain's 'eyebrow journalists': complicit silence and no money returned
Journalists who whitewashed corrupt politicians in exchange for public money. The debate over whether they should pay it back and the pattern of media impunity.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
Spain's 'eyebrow journalists': complicit silence and no money returned
After the graphic archive of artists and intellectuals who backed Zapatero with the raised-eyebrow gesture, the spotlight now shifts to the journalists who whitewashed those now sitting in the dock. The question is blunt: will they return the public money they were paid to tell their story?
Whitewashing in exchange for public contracts
In recent days, the debate over media complicity in political corruption has gathered steam. A group of journalists is being singled out for, according to sources, either explicitly backing or at least never questioning figures now under investigation for serious crimes. In return, they received lucrative contracts and radio and TV collaborations funded with public money. Now, many are attempting a quick change of coat with excuses like "I didn't know".
The debate over repayment
The discussion centres on whether these professionals should refund the money earned for their legitimising work. While some demand financial accountability, others warn against symbolic or real violence. Ceaușescu's execution is mentioned as a metaphor, although participants expressly reject any violence. The proposal is limited to a sarracena demand: that they pay back what they received if the politicians they defended are convicted.
A repeating pattern
The thread is part of a series that began with artists and intellectuals who posed with a raised eyebrow, a gesture of support for Zapatero. Now it's the journalists' turn. The criticism is that in any healthy society these professionals would be social outcasts. But in Spain, there are antiestéticars they will simply jump on the bandwagon of the next strongman of the day.
Given this track record, the question remains open: will they face any financial consequences, or will they simply wait for the scandal to blow over?
Related discussions in the forum
After the graphic archive of artists and intellectuals who backed Zapatero with the raised-eyebrow gesture, the spotlight now shifts to the journalists who whitewashed those now sitting in the dock. The question is blunt: will they return the public money they were paid to tell their story?
Whitewashing in exchange for public contracts
In recent days, the debate over media complicity in political corruption has gathered steam. A group of journalists is being singled out for, according to sources, either explicitly backing or at least never questioning figures now under investigation for serious crimes. In return, they received lucrative contracts and radio and TV collaborations funded with public money. Now, many are attempting a quick change of coat with excuses like "I didn't know".
The debate over repayment
The discussion centres on whether these professionals should refund the money earned for their legitimising work. While some demand financial accountability, others warn against symbolic or real violence. Ceaușescu's execution is mentioned as a metaphor, although participants expressly reject any violence. The proposal is limited to a sarracena demand: that they pay back what they received if the politicians they defended are convicted.
A repeating pattern
The thread is part of a series that began with artists and intellectuals who posed with a raised eyebrow, a gesture of support for Zapatero. Now it's the journalists' turn. The criticism is that in any healthy society these professionals would be social outcasts. But in Spain, there are antiestéticars they will simply jump on the bandwagon of the next strongman of the day.
Given this track record, the question remains open: will they face any financial consequences, or will they simply wait for the scandal to blow over?
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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (15 replies).
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