The Ministry of the Interior of Spain apologized on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, to journalists and denied any attempt to gag the press, following a media report revealing that the ministry had secretly compiled a list of reporters and their political views.
This unusual controversy regarding freedom of expression inside a European Union member state arose as the Socialist-led ministry faced mounting pressure over its handling of the unprecedented mass arrival of migrants in July in Ceuta, a Spanish territory located in North Africa.
According to El Confidencial, the ministry possessed a file on dozens of working journalists designed to monitor their political affiliations. The outlet stated that the document was created in secret and contained a multitude of individual files featuring photographs along with commentary on the reporters' work and political positions.
Qualifying labels cited by El Confidencial included terms such as “Afín al PSOE” (Aligned with the PSOE), “tendencia conservadora” (conservative tendency), “independiente” (independent), “centro derecha moderado” (moderate center-right), “extrema derecha” (far-right), and “desinformación” (disinformation).
Did You Know? The disputed internal document was originally created in 2024 by the Ministry of the Interior, according to official statements released by the agency.
Press Federation Condemns Surveillance and Potential Reprisal
The Federation of Associations of Journalists of Spain (FAPE) sharply criticized the ministry, arguing that the creation of such a list introduced elements of surveillance and potential reprisal. FAPE asserted that this practice remains entirely incompatible with the rule of law and warned that it could carry severe consequences for the exercise of critical journalism.
In response to the public backlash, the Ministry of the Interior issued a formal statement defending the origin of the files. The ministry maintained that the list was merely an internal document created in 2024 with a strictly consultative purpose, insisting it held no intention of establishing censorship, restriction, or limitation on journalistic work.
“We apologize to the professionals who may have felt offended by the content of the document and by some of the evaluations poured into it,” the ministry stated in its official note.
Minister Defends Official Actions Amid Ceuta Migrant Management Criticisms
Minister of the Interior Fernando Grande-Marlaska addressed reporters during a press conference held in Ceuta. He declared that the contested document carried no spurious purpose and stated that it in no way resulted in differences either among media outlets or individual journalists regarding the delivery of information or responses to official requests.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the Ministry of the Interior apologize for?
The ministry apologized to journalists for an internal document containing political evaluations and profiles of active reporters that was revealed in a media report.
Who published the exclusive report on the dossier?
The digital newspaper El Confidencial published the exclusive report detailing the secret list on Tuesday.
What specific organization criticized the ministry over the list?
The Federation of Associations of Journalists of Spain (FAPE) criticized the ministry, stating that the surveillance practice was incompatible with the rule of law.
How did Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska describe the document?
Minister Grande-Marlaska stated during a press conference in Ceuta that the document had no spurious purpose and did not affect how the ministry answered information requests from journalists.
How will this unfolding controversy impact the administration’s ongoing policy challenges in the near term?
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