MONDAY, JANUARY 22, 1968. New Gags On Spanish Newspapers

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31583, 22 January 1968, Page 10

MONDAY, JANUARY 22, 1968. New Gags On Spanish Newspapers

Despite General Franco’s professions to the contrary, the gap between government and people in Spain continues to widen. Nor are protests against the regime confined to the banned Communist party —pro-Russian or pro-Chinese as the case may be. As has just been demonstrated again, harsh sentences are the fate of any found guilty of “subversive “ illegal association Last October, it may be recalled, a “ week of struggle ” against rising prices and the denial of trade union rights ended with more than a thousand workers in detention. Strikes were staged in Madrid, traditionally a socialist stronghold, and in most of the provinces. In Madrid and Granada, student militancy was countered by rigorous police action. The newspapers used their increased, but still limited, freedom by giving prominence to reports of strikes by industrial workers, of prison sentences imposed on people found guilty of illegal demonstrations, and, of course, of trials of alleged Communists. Now, it is clear, the Government is ready to clamp down once more on press freedom. Under the law of March, 1966, the right to publish news or information was restored to the newspapers provided they showed “ respect for truth “ and morality ”, regard for the requirements of national security, the maintenance of public order, and “due respect for institutions and persons in “criticisms of political and administrative action”, Obviously, in the Government’s view, these requirements represent too broad a basis for tolerance. At the end of December a new Official Secrets Bill was presented to the Cortes, for consideration during its next session; and the newspapers were quick to realise that such freedom as had been extended to them in 1966 was to be taken away again. The text of the bill has not been published, but the official outline of it leaves no doubt about its intentions. The Government will be empowered to make a wide classification of so-called official secrets, covering questions of public order and almost anything, whether political, scientific, economic, financial or technical, that may be held to endanger the security of the State. Cabinet meetings will be covered by official statements. No other reports may be printed: no “leaks”, forecasts, or stories of differences within the Cabinet. Earlier—in April—changes were made in the penal system providing sentences of up to six years for journalists found guilty of printing false or dangerous reports, or criticising the Government without proper respect. Even the Roman Catholic press—hitherto not subject to censorship, but now to be brought into line with the lay press—has complained that the law limiting publication could now be made to cover almost anything in public life. This clearly reflects the conflict within the Church in Spain between the conservative elements, supporting the regime, and the younger liberals, who are becoming increasingly critical of it. When the new bill goes through—an almost certain course, since it expresses the will of the Government—the newspapers will find themselves with virtually all the old shackles restored. Already the ban on publication covers anything attacking the National Movement—the Falangist group and its associates. Only last month a Barcelona weekly, “ Destino ”, suffered two months suspension for printing critical articles, and its publisher was ordered to pay the maximum fine of £l3OO. So much for the liberalism proclaimed in last year’s new Organic Law, which had raised hopes and encouraged militancy among trade unionists and in the universities. General Franco has been having second thoughts. Little, it seems, of his original intentions will survive when the Official Secrets Bill is enacted.