Teresa Ribeiro, who works as a representative of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Vienna, has criticized the fact that the questions of journalists that are not satisfactory to players and managers in the top tier of LaLiga seem no longer welcome.
In December, the Spanish Football Association awarded the broadcast rights for games in the first division to Telefónica and DAZN for 4.95 billion euros over the next five years. The contract, which will apply from the current 2022/23 season, includes provisions for sports journalists to broadcast games. It states that “damage to the image of the competition, the club, the players, the coach and the public” should be avoided.
Criticism from Spain’s journalists’ association was dismissed by LaLiga boss Javier Tebas. According to Tebas, only questions about the match should be asked immediately after the final whistle, other topics should be addressed in the press conference.
“This new article unreasonably restricts media freedom and the right to information,” Ribeiro said in a statement. This is a general trend in football. She emphasized that the state has a duty to protect the freedom of the media.
The protection of democratic rights and the prevention of conflicts are the main tasks of the OSCE. Spain is a member of the organization.