Pedro Sánchez calls to raise "our voice against any attempt to annul freedom of expression", because "to defend it is to defend the very essence of democracy"

Barcelona

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, speaks at the closing ceremony of the 'Vanguardia 2025 Awards' (Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la Bellacasa)

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, has closed the 'Vanguardia 2025 Awards' ceremony in Barcelona, promoted by the newspaper La Vanguardia, where he stressed that "defending freedom of expression is, in short, defending the very essence of democracy". "Without it, democracy is an empty ritual; with it, pluralism grows and citizen debate is enriched," he said.

Sánchez therefore called for the need to "protect" freedom of expression and "prevent it from being manipulated as a weapon to spread disinformation, incite hatred and undermine democratic institutions". He also called on us to "raise our voices against any attempt to quash freedom of expression, because if we lose our freedom to disagree without fear of reprisals, we will be sowing the seeds of tyranny", he said.

During his speech, the chief executive highlighted the commitment of the newspaper La Vanguardia to "truth, rigour and excellence", something that "is not an easy task in these times", in which "quality journalism is fighting an unequal battle in the digital universe" and "merchants of lies and traffickers of hatred compete with honest journalism", he said. "It is a battle we must fight, because the future of democracy and the health and prosperity of our society depend to a large extent on it," he added.

The King Felipe VI, the President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, the President of the Catalan Government, Salvador Illa, and the Second Vice-President of the Government of Spain, Yolanda Díaz, during the event | Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la Bellacasa

In this regard, Sánchez warned that we are seeing "direct attacks and censorship of programmes on a scale unseen in decades" in countries that are pioneers in the recognition of freedom of expression and press freedom. "There, anyone who thinks differently and dares to dissent from the established power is quashed. And the lords of the algorithm are pushing for a new censorship from their monopolies of power," he denounced.

He recalled that in other places, such as Gaza, "journalists are still literally risking their lives to do their work", and more than 200 journalists have been killed to date "for being uncomfortable witnesses to the massacre" and "custodians of the truth in the face of impunity". He said that he wanted "to dedicate these words to honour his memory and that of so many journalists around the world who pay with their lives for their love of this profession, which is essential to uphold freedom of expression".

Awards

The 'Vanguardia 2025 Awards', organised by the newspaper La Vanguardia and presented at the Palau de Congressos de Catalunya in Barcelona, distinguished the careers of personalities and leaders in all areas of society: Red Cross, Caritas and Associations of Victims of the DANA (Solidarity); Airbus (European Company of the Year); Demetrio Canceller, executive president of DAMM (Businessman of the Year); Aitana (Culture); Manel del Castillo, manager of Sant Joan de Déu Hospital (Innovation and Science); Sagrada Familia (Impulse to Cities); Timothy Garton Ash, British historian and journalist (Europe); Elena Barraquer, doctor (Career Achievement); Ricardo Bofil (In Memoriam), and Caroline Darian, daughter of Gisèle Pelicot (International).

Sánchez stressed that these awards reflect who we are: "A society committed to Europeanism, solidarity, culture, feminism, social justice and shared prosperity", and with them "we pay tribute to these values in people and institutions that are authentic references in each of them".

Caroline Darian, daughter of Gisèle Pelicot, winner of the International Prize | Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la Bellacasa

The chief executive praised the award to the associations of Victims of the DANA, who received the Solidarity Award together with the Red Cross and Caritas "You are an example for society as a whole", said the president, who also pointed out that today is a difficult day for them, "because many families are reliving that day of pain in view of the weather forecast for the next few hours, precisely where the tragedy struck almost a year ago".

At this point, he took the opportunity to call for calm and to ask all citizens to follow the instructions of civil protection and the emergency services. "Today and always, confidence and unity in the face of adversity arising from the climate emergency," he said.

The president also referred to Caroline Darian, daughter of International Prize laureate Gisèle Pelicot, to thank her and her mother for "the courage to speak out", and "for turning pain into an immense legacy of dignity so that shame can change sides once and for all". The event was also attended by the Second Vice-President and Minister for Work and Social Economy, Yolanda Díaz, and the Minister for Science, Innovation and Universities, Diana Morant.

Non official translation