Spanish government faces backlash after dossier profiling 280 journalists is revealed

Dossier details and ideological labeling

On 8 September 2026, Spanish digital outlet El Confidencial disclosed the existence of an internal dossier compiled by the communication office of the Ministry of the Interior. The document contained detailed profiles on 280 journalists, commentators, and regular television and radio debate panelists across Spain. Each file included a photograph, notes on media appearances, and explicit assessments of political leanings. Assigned labels cited in reports included designations such as "pro-PSOE", "conservative tendency", "independent", "moderate centre-right", "far right", and "disinformation". The Ministry of the Interior confirmed the authenticity of the records, clarifying in an official statement that the document was created in 2024 for internal consultative use and was never intended to impose censorship or limit reporting.

Parliamentary clash in Madrid

The revelations prompted intense exchanges during the government control session in the Congress of Deputies on 9 September 2026. People's Party secretary general Miguel Tellado presented a copy of the dossier directly to Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska and called for his immediate resignation.

You believe you are the interior minister of a banana republic. It is improper for a democracy, and I hope you apologize today and resign from your seat and office.

Opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo challenged Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez over the compilation, characterizing it as police-style profiling of journalists. Sánchez refrained from answering questions regarding the dossier or broader corruption inquiries, focusing his remarks instead on regional education funding and a Supreme Court ruling regarding voting procedures. People's Party lawmaker Ana Vázquez noted that her own profile was included in the dossier because of her appearances on television debate panels.

Government explanation and apologies

Speaking before the chamber and previously during an appearance in Ceuta, Marlaska insisted that the file was an internal working tool designed to monitor commentary regarding his department rather than to classify professionals ideologically.

If anyone felt that the form was not sufficiently appropriate, apologies have already been made. But blacklists are not our style. I know of no blacklist.

Government spokesperson Elma Saiz described the compilation as a document for internal consumption during a press conference following the weekly Council of Ministers. The ministry released a formal apology to journalists who were offended by the contents and assessments, asserting that the records did not result in unequal treatment or restrictions in media access.

Reactions from media and coalition allies

Criticism also emerged from the governing coalition's legislative partners and press freedom organizations. Republican Left of Catalonia spokesperson Gabriel Rufián labeled the project a wasteful expenditure of public funds, stating that basic internet searches would have provided identical information at lower cost. Sumar lawmaker Alberto Ibáñez Mezquita termed the list serious and questioned police conduct regarding reporter safety during recent demonstrations in Valencia and Ceuta. Ketty Garat, head of investigation at the newspaper ABC, voiced concern during a broadcast on Onda Cero, stating that communicators face ongoing pressure when reporting on sensitive government files. The Federation of Associations of Journalists of Spain condemned the dossier, warning that creating surveillance files on critical reporters remains incompatible with the rule of law.