Catalan-language media unite over concerns for press freedom

Abstract

At FirONA 2026, an annual gathering in Palma focused on Catalan-language media and culture, representatives of _VilaWeb_, _Diari de Balears_ and _La Directa_ discussed the sanctioning proceedings opened by Spain's Data Protection Agency (AEPD) over reporting on police infiltrations. Two of the affected outlets, _VilaWeb_ and _Diari de Balears_, are members of MIDAS. MIDAS President Martxelo Otamendi joined the discussion, warning of the broader implications for investigative journalism and minority-language media.