Spanish mass media and elections Spanish mass media and elections in the face of terrorism in the face of terrorism Ten keys Ten keys about 11M about 11M Prof. Dr. José Luis González Esteban Prof. Dr. José Luis González Esteban Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU (Elche-Alicante) (Elche-Alicante) Wroclaw, 11 de Marzo de 2005 Wroclaw, 11 de Marzo de 2005
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
Spanish mass media and Spanish mass media and elections in the face of elections in the face of terrorismterrorism
Ten keys Ten keys about about 11M11MProf. Dr. José Luis González EstebanProf. Dr. José Luis González Esteban
Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU (Elche-Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU (Elche-Alicante)Alicante)
Wroclaw, 11 de Marzo de 2005Wroclaw, 11 de Marzo de 2005
Ten keys about 11MTen keys about 11M 1st KEY: 1st KEY: Iraq WarIraq War
In order to understand the Popular Party In order to understand the Popular Party defeat (PP/right), in the 14th March 2004 defeat (PP/right), in the 14th March 2004 elections, it is necessary to go back beyond elections, it is necessary to go back beyond 11th March11th March
The genesis of Aznar’s electoral disaster The genesis of Aznar’s electoral disaster must be located on Iraq Warmust be located on Iraq War
A successful economic management and a A successful economic management and a steady anti-terrorist policy placed the PP steady anti-terrorist policy placed the PP with a ten points margin over the Socialist with a ten points margin over the Socialist Party, before its direct involvement in Iraqi Party, before its direct involvement in Iraqi conflictconflict
Ten keys about 11MTen keys about 11M 1st KEY: 1st KEY: Iraq WarIraq War
92% of citizens 92% of citizens show its rejection show its rejection to Spain’s to Spain’s involvement in Iraq involvement in Iraq WarWar
Ten keys about 11MTen keys about 11M 1st KEY: 1st KEY: Iraq WarIraq War
Iraq War mobilized Spanish societyIraq War mobilized Spanish society On 15th February 2003, one and half million On 15th February 2003, one and half million
people demonstrated on Barcelona streetspeople demonstrated on Barcelona streets
Ten keys about 11MTen keys about 11M
1st KEY: 1st KEY: Iraq WarIraq War That same day, more than two million people That same day, more than two million people
showed their rejection in the crowed demonstration showed their rejection in the crowed demonstration in Madridin Madrid
Ten keys about 11MTen keys about 11M 1st KEY: 1st KEY: Iraq WarIraq War
Incomprehensibly, Incomprehensibly, José María Aznar’s José María Aznar’s Government didn’t Government didn’t listen to listen to generalized generalized rejection, including rejection, including the one from many the one from many Popular Pary voters Popular Pary voters who were aganist who were aganist WarWar
Ten keys about 11MTen keys about 11M 1st KEY: 1st KEY: Iraq WarIraq War
José María José María Aznar justified Aznar justified his bellicist his bellicist stance on stance on assumptions assumptions that very soon that very soon were proved were proved as wrongas wrong
The first The first argument was argument was the famous the famous and falses and falses weapons of weapons of massive massive destructionsdestructions
Ten keys about 11MTen keys about 11M 2nd KEY: 2nd KEY: Azores’ pictureAzores’ picture
The ratification and staging of José María The ratification and staging of José María Aznar’s support to George Bush took place in Aznar’s support to George Bush took place in the famous Azores date, on 16th March 2003the famous Azores date, on 16th March 2003
That meeting marked a definitive turn in the That meeting marked a definitive turn in the Spanish traditional foreign policySpanish traditional foreign policy
In the very Popular Party’s bosom, some critical In the very Popular Party’s bosom, some critical voices with the strategy of the then President arosevoices with the strategy of the then President arose
Spain distanced from France and Germany, in order Spain distanced from France and Germany, in order to take a stand in the United States-United to take a stand in the United States-United Kingdom axisKingdom axis
Ten keys about 11MTen keys about 11M 2nd KEY: 2nd KEY: Azore’s pictureAzore’s picture
Blair, Bush y Aznar in Azores (Portugal)Blair, Bush y Aznar in Azores (Portugal) Spain became Al Qaeda target, what has been confirmed in the Spain became Al Qaeda target, what has been confirmed in the
judiciary inquiry currently being carried out by judge Del Olmojudiciary inquiry currently being carried out by judge Del Olmo
Ten keys about 11MTen keys about 11M 3rd KEY: 3rd KEY:
Casablanca attackCasablanca attack On 16th may 2003. On 16th may 2003.
Al Qaeda kills 45 Al Qaeda kills 45 people in Casa de people in Casa de España (Spanish España (Spanish House) in House) in Casablanca Casablanca (Morocco)(Morocco)
Ten keys about 11MTen keys about 11M 3rd KEY: 3rd KEY:
Casablanca attackCasablanca attack Spanish government Spanish government
denied any link denied any link between Spain’s between Spain’s involvement in Iraq involvement in Iraq War and Casablanca War and Casablanca killingkilling
Judiciary inquiry has Judiciary inquiry has later determined a later determined a DIRECT LINKDIRECT LINK
Ten keys about 11MTen keys about 11M 4th KEY: 4th KEY: First First
Spanish deathsSpanish deaths On 30th November On 30th November
2003, seven Spanish 2003, seven Spanish secret agents secret agents underwent an ambush underwent an ambush in the outskirts of in the outskirts of Baghdad and were Baghdad and were killedkilled
They are the first They are the first Spanish victims in the Spanish victims in the conflictconflict
In the picture, some In the picture, some Iraqis step on the Iraqis step on the Spanish dead bodiesSpanish dead bodies
Ten keys about 11MTen keys about 11M 5th KEY: 5th KEY: 9M surveys9M surveys
On Monday 9 March 2005, last intention On Monday 9 March 2005, last intention of vote surveys were publishedof vote surveys were published
The Iraq War marked the electoral The Iraq War marked the electoral campaigncampaign
The PP had dilapidated a ten points The PP had dilapidated a ten points adventage and two days before the adventage and two days before the Madrid attack the situation was a Madrid attack the situation was a technical draw between the Popular technical draw between the Popular Party supports and socialists’ onesParty supports and socialists’ ones
Ten keys about 11MTen keys about 11M 6th KEY: 6th KEY: 11M, the infamy day11M, the infamy day
On 11th Marcha 2004, Al Qaeda kills in On 11th Marcha 2004, Al Qaeda kills in Madrid 192 people and leave wounded 1500Madrid 192 people and leave wounded 1500
Most of the victims were young University Most of the victims were young University students, workers and inmigrantsstudents, workers and inmigrants
It is the wildest terrorist attack ever It is the wildest terrorist attack ever committed on European landcommitted on European land
The youngest victim of the killing was a The youngest victim of the killing was a seven months old Polish baby called seven months old Polish baby called Patrizia Rzaca. Her father, Wieslaw, also Patrizia Rzaca. Her father, Wieslaw, also died on the attack. On the whole, four died on the attack. On the whole, four Polish citizens died in Madrid massacrePolish citizens died in Madrid massacre
Ten keys about 11MTen keys about 11M
6th KEY: 6th KEY: 11M, the infamy day11M, the infamy day Twelve terrorists placed fourteen bombs in four Twelve terrorists placed fourteen bombs in four
trains that went off in the central Atocha Station trains that went off in the central Atocha Station and other two stations close to Spanish capitaland other two stations close to Spanish capital
Ten keys about 11MTen keys about 11M
6th KEY: 6th KEY: 11M, the infamy day11M, the infamy day Terror scenes were reproduced in Madrid from Terror scenes were reproduced in Madrid from
8:00 am8:00 am That same morning, on 11M, the investigators That same morning, on 11M, the investigators
already managed with certainty Al Qaeda clue, already managed with certainty Al Qaeda clue, what was reflected as well in the summary what was reflected as well in the summary being instructed by judge Del Olmobeing instructed by judge Del Olmo
Ten keys about 11MTen keys about 11M 6th KEY: 6th KEY: 11M, the infamy day11M, the infamy day
Given the tightness of surveys, with the Given the tightness of surveys, with the dead bodies in the mortuaries and the dead bodies in the mortuaries and the wonded in hospitals, the political logic wonded in hospitals, the political logic showed that an Al Qaeda attack would showed that an Al Qaeda attack would mean, as it was, a PP defeatmean, as it was, a PP defeat Aznar and his collaborators hurried up to Aznar and his collaborators hurried up to
build a guilty for the Madrid attack on the build a guilty for the Madrid attack on the very 11M: ETA (Basque terrorist organization)very 11M: ETA (Basque terrorist organization)
Depending on who were responsible for the Depending on who were responsible for the attack, so would be the elections winner:attack, so would be the elections winner:
ETA gave victory to Popular Party (PP)ETA gave victory to Popular Party (PP) Al Qaeda to Socialist Party (PSOE)Al Qaeda to Socialist Party (PSOE)
Ten keys about 11MTen keys about 11M 7th KEY: 7th KEY: From 11th to 14th March: From 11th to 14th March:
information and desinformationinformation and desinformation In order to reach their goals, the In order to reach their goals, the
Government focused its strategy of Government focused its strategy of information and desinformation in two information and desinformation in two fronts:fronts:
Spanish public television (TVE)Spanish public television (TVE) Some ambassadors in foreing countriesSome ambassadors in foreing countries
On its side, the Socialist Party had Cadena On its side, the Socialist Party had Cadena SER (main radio station in Spain) SER (main radio station in Spain) invaluable assistance, contributing to the invaluable assistance, contributing to the definitive attrition of Aznar Governmentdefinitive attrition of Aznar Government
Ten keys about 11MTen keys about 11M 7th KEY: 7th KEY: From 11th to 14th March: From 11th to 14th March:
information and desinformationinformation and desinformation In the In the last last Reporteros sin FronterasReporteros sin Fronteras report on report on
freedom of pressfreedom of press, Spain ranks in the , Spain ranks in the penultimate position in European Union (only penultimate position in European Union (only before Italy)before Italy) RSFRSF denounce “the informative manipulation of denounce “the informative manipulation of
Government in the previous days to 14M Government in the previous days to 14M elections”elections”
This manipulation, desinformation or intoxication was This manipulation, desinformation or intoxication was denounced by the very foreign correspondentsdenounced by the very foreign correspondents
In the same way, In the same way, RSFRSF insists in denouncing the insists in denouncing the lack of freedom in the practice of journalism lack of freedom in the practice of journalism profession in the Basque Countryprofession in the Basque Country
Ten keys about 11MTen keys about 11M 7th KEY: 7th KEY: From 11th to 14th March: From 11th to 14th March:
information and desinformationinformation and desinformation Evidences about Al Qaeda responsibility were clear. Evidences about Al Qaeda responsibility were clear.
Police investigation indicated so, and the Police investigation indicated so, and the government was perfectly informedgovernment was perfectly informed
To top it all, on 12th March, Israel secret services sources, To top it all, on 12th March, Israel secret services sources, and the ones from the very CIA, pointed to Al Qaedaand the ones from the very CIA, pointed to Al Qaeda
That same day, at night, a digital Londoner newspaper That same day, at night, a digital Londoner newspaper spread a note throught which Islamic terrorists assumed spread a note throught which Islamic terrorists assumed responsabilityresponsability
In spite of all, the Aznar government trenched in a wrong In spite of all, the Aznar government trenched in a wrong political and communication strategy that eventually cost political and communication strategy that eventually cost the 14M general electionsthe 14M general elections
Ten keys about 11MTen keys about 11M 8th KEY: 8th KEY: Who has been?Who has been?
Political tension moved to street. Political tension moved to street. Spanish Spanish citizens wanted to vote knowing the truth citizens wanted to vote knowing the truth about the attack authorsabout the attack authors
Spain was mourning. There was a generalized Spain was mourning. There was a generalized anger and indignation in a citizenship that anger and indignation in a citizenship that scremed aloud: scremed aloud: WHO HAS BEEN?WHO HAS BEEN?
The whole Spain mobilized, let’s see some The whole Spain mobilized, let’s see some examples of some days that became historical:examples of some days that became historical:
Mobilized students and crepes in all Mobilized students and crepes in all over Spain balconiesover Spain balconies
Minutes in silence, stops in works and Minutes in silence, stops in works and notes in Arabic demanding: NEVER notes in Arabic demanding: NEVER
AGAIN!AGAIN!
The rain didn’t impede that the The rain didn’t impede that the Spaniards run into the streets on Spaniards run into the streets on
Friday 12th March 2004Friday 12th March 2004
Politicians and Royal House led Madrid Politicians and Royal House led Madrid demonstration. The clamour was demonstration. The clamour was
unanimous: Who has been?unanimous: Who has been?From left to right: the former Interior minister Ángel From left to right: the former Interior minister Ángel
Acebes, Zapatero, Aznar, Prince Felipe and his Acebes, Zapatero, Aznar, Prince Felipe and his daughters the infants Elena and Cristinadaughters the infants Elena and Cristina
Two million people congregated on Two million people congregated on Atocha Station surrounding, place of Atocha Station surrounding, place of
attackattack
Madrid/12MMadrid/12M
Barcelona/12MBarcelona/12M
Bilbao/12MBilbao/12M
Sevilla/12MSevilla/12M
Valencia/12MValencia/12M
Zaragoza 12/MZaragoza 12/M
Ten keys about 11MTen keys about 11M 8th KEY: 8th KEY: Who has been?Who has been?
Every kind of manipulation and political Every kind of manipulation and political orientation leaked to the very orientation leaked to the very reflection reflection dayday
The Government kept its strategy of blaming The Government kept its strategy of blaming ETA up to Saturday mindnigthETA up to Saturday mindnigth
On the socialists falls the suspects of On the socialists falls the suspects of promoting a quick campaign of pursuing, promoting a quick campaign of pursuing, coordinated through the cell phones and coordinated through the cell phones and consisting of mobilizations in front of the consisting of mobilizations in front of the Popular Party headquarters all over SpainPopular Party headquarters all over Spain
Ten keys about 11MTen keys about 11M 9th KEY: 9th KEY: 14M, 14M,
electoral electoral overturning in Spainoverturning in Spain All the development All the development
of referred events of referred events became in the polls became in the polls in a surprising in a surprising electoral overturning electoral overturning and an electoral and an electoral landside for landside for socialistssocialists
Ten keys about 11MTen keys about 11M 9th KEY: 9th KEY: 14M, electoral overturning in 14M, electoral overturning in
SpainSpain The 14M numbers summary is the The 14M numbers summary is the
following:following: Very high Spanish turn out. 78% turned out, Very high Spanish turn out. 78% turned out,
outstanding the mobilization or awekening of outstanding the mobilization or awekening of young voteyoung vote
Socialist Party went over 11 million votes, 42% Socialist Party went over 11 million votes, 42% getting 164 seatsgetting 164 seats
The PP fell 8 points behind the socialists, with The PP fell 8 points behind the socialists, with 34%, losing the Government and 35 seats34%, losing the Government and 35 seats
Ten keys about 11MTen keys about 11M 9th KEY: 9th KEY: 14M, electoral overturning in 14M, electoral overturning in
SpainSpain CONCLUSIONS:CONCLUSIONS:
Before the second Gulf War, the Popular Party Before the second Gulf War, the Popular Party headed by Aznar relied on a comfortable 8 points headed by Aznar relied on a comfortable 8 points advantage over the Socialist Partyadvantage over the Socialist Party
The Spanish involvement in the Iraqi conflict was The Spanish involvement in the Iraqi conflict was undermining these advantages during one year, undermining these advantages during one year, reaching the 9M with a technical drawreaching the 9M with a technical draw
The 11M attack in Madrid and the unlucky The 11M attack in Madrid and the unlucky management of Government from 11th to 14th management of Government from 11th to 14th was punished by citizenship, changing the was punished by citizenship, changing the previous 8 points in socialists favourprevious 8 points in socialists favour
Ten keys about 11MTen keys about 11M 9th KEY: 9th KEY: 14M, electoral overturning 14M, electoral overturning
in Spainin Spain The first Government action by new The first Government action by new
president Zapatero was the president Zapatero was the withdraw of withdraw of Spanish troops from IraqSpanish troops from Iraq. This political . This political action was framed in the logic action was framed in the logic interpretation of 14M resultsinterpretation of 14M results
From that time on, the new Government From that time on, the new Government changed the foreing policy into traditional changed the foreing policy into traditional support to French-German axissupport to French-German axis
Ten keys about 11MTen keys about 11M 9th KEY: 9th KEY: 14M, 14M,
electoral overturning electoral overturning in Spainin Spain All the world press All the world press
echoed the 11M echoed the 11M attacks and the 14M attacks and the 14M electoral overturning; electoral overturning; Polish one was Polish one was included, outstanding included, outstanding the report published by the report published by PolitykaPolityka with a with a surprising and graphic surprising and graphic headline in Spanishheadline in Spanish
Ten keys about 11MTen keys about 11M 10th KEY: 10th KEY: The The
victimsvictims After being After being
politically and media politically and media manipulated, the manipulated, the 11M victims 11M victims managed to raise managed to raise their voice in the their voice in the historical 16th historical 16th December 2004 December 2004 parlamentary parlamentary appearance appearance
Ten keys about 11MTen keys about 11M 10th KEY: 10th KEY: The victimsThe victims
Pilar Manjón, who lost her 21 years old son in Pilar Manjón, who lost her 21 years old son in the attack, was the victims’ spokeperson in a the attack, was the victims’ spokeperson in a memorable speech in the Congress of Deputiesmemorable speech in the Congress of Deputies
Ten keys about 11MTen keys about 11M 10th KEY: 10th KEY: VictimsVictims
Manjón demanded Manjón demanded responsabilities for responsabilities for 11M errors11M errors
She strongly criticised She strongly criticised politicians and some politicians and some mass media por using mass media por using their pain as a their pain as a “throwable weapon”“throwable weapon”
And she claimed, And she claimed, without success, an without success, an independent independent commission, without commission, without political parties, in political parties, in order to seek the truth order to seek the truth and make justiceand make justice
Today we commemorate the first Today we commemorate the first anniversary of massacreanniversary of massacre
In memory of the 192 victimsIn memory of the 192 victims