‘Gag Law’ May Undermine Freedom of Press in Spain

The law, that became effective on July 1, among other provisions, prohibits Spaniards from making video recordings or photographing police and their activities if it endangers officers' safety or the success of the operation they are executing.

MADRID (Sputnik) — Spain's Public Security Law, dubbed the "gag law" by its opponents, may be interpreted in a way that would undermine freedom of the press in the country, the president of the Federation of Press Associations of Spain (FAPE) told Sputnik Thursday.

"FAPE consistently countered the approbation of this law in the section that may limit freedom of information," Elsa Gonzalez said.

She added that the law is open to very different interpretations and could lead to the adoption of measures that could undermine the freedom of information.

"The media are to exercise a counterweight, to reveal abuses that can occur at a given time… If reporter can not perform it, you nullify his role and mission," Gonzalez pointed out.

The new legislation also places limits on where public assemblies can take place, permits authorities to perform immediate deportations without due legal process, and allows for the harsh punishment of those deemed to be resisting arrest.

Protests, organized by social movements and left-wing parties, were held across Spain on Tuesday, with Greenpeace activists, who climbed a crane in front of the Congress building in Madrid, being first to express their discontent with the law.