A question of dignity

I'm not going to fool anyone: as Speaker of Congress, I wish there was no need to reform the regulations to allow journalists to do their work. This regulation might seem contradictory, because Spain has been governed by a Constitution for 46 years, which already recognizes and protects the right to communicate and receive truthful information. In other words, freedom of the press exists; it runs through the backbone of our democracy, and journalists don't need to be given any tools other than their own professionalism.

But in Congress, whether we like it or not, there's been a serious problem for a few years now, which I became aware of as soon as I arrived in the House of Representatives. It's an obvious and uncomfortable problem. You can't practice journalism while a group of troublemakers harasses professionals. I've never witnessed anything like this in my entire political career. Heckling, persecuting, pointing fingers, accusing, insulting. Arguing until decent people trying to do their jobs are exhausted. It's a disgrace that this happens in a democratic country like ours, in Congress no less, but the fact is that it happens. And we must find a solution.

We approved an agreement so that journalists can do their work

The reform of Article 98 of the Lower House Rules of Procedure only seeks to eliminate an anomaly: that of bad manners. That of lack of civility. The new text limits the rules—there are rules everywhere, rules for good coexistence: you cannot violate the dignity of others, you cannot disrupt the order of press conferences, you cannot insult others. It seems obvious; we shouldn't need anyone to remind us of it. This reform is not intended to restrict freedom of the press, nor to restrict any right, not at all. Quite the contrary. What we approved is an agreement so that, above all, journalists can do their work. Because let's not forget: without free and truthful journalism, there will be no democracy.

What the associations were demanding, what the majority of parliamentary groups have agreed upon, and what anyone concerned with the common good would demand is, quite simply, that press conferences not be boycotted. Journalists should be able to ask questions and be allowed to hear the answers, and that no one should threaten or discredit them. Therefore, let us be clear that all we are doing is giving tools to committed people who want to do their job, something that guarantees a fundamental right of citizens.

Let us also be clear that parliaments, the central and core institutions of representative democracy, must be places of words, respect, and coexistence. I will never tire of saying this. Inside and outside the chamber. Respect and coexistence: above all and at all times. Because it is the will of the people—ultimately, their dignity—that is at stake.