Joshua Rodriguez Hunter

Spanish mass media and Spanish mass media and elections in the face of elections in the face of terrorismterrorism

11M 11M DisasterDisaster

Student Joshua Rodriguez Student Joshua Rodriguez HunterHunter

High School Pompeu FabraHigh School Pompeu Fabra

Ten keys about 11MTen keys about 11M

1st KEY: 1st KEY: Iraq WarIraq War In order to understand the Popular Party In order to understand the Popular Party

defeat (PP/right), in the 14th March 2004 defeat (PP/right), in the 14th March 2004 elections, it is necessary to go back beyond elections, it is necessary to go back beyond 11th March11th March

The genesis of Aznar’s electoral disaster The genesis of Aznar’s electoral disaster must be located on Iraq Warmust be located on Iraq War

A successful economic management and a A successful economic management and a steady anti-terrorist policy placed the PP steady anti-terrorist policy placed the PP with a ten points margin over the Socialist with a ten points margin over the Socialist Party, before its direct involvement in Iraqi Party, before its direct involvement in Iraqi conflictconflict


1st KEY: 1st KEY: Iraq WarIraq War 92% of citizens 92% of citizens

show its rejection show its rejection to Spain’s to Spain’s involvement in Iraq involvement in Iraq WarWar


1st KEY: 1st KEY: Iraq WarIraq War Iraq War mobilized Spanish societyIraq War mobilized Spanish society On 15th February 2003, one and half million On 15th February 2003, one and half million

people demonstrated on Barcelona streetspeople demonstrated on Barcelona streets


1st KEY: 1st KEY: Iraq WarIraq War That same day, more than two million people That same day, more than two million people

showed their rejection in the crowed showed their rejection in the crowed demonstration in Madriddemonstration in Madrid


1st KEY: 1st KEY: Iraq WarIraq War Incomprehensibly, Incomprehensibly,

José María Aznar’s José María Aznar’s Government didn’t Government didn’t listen to listen to generalized generalized rejection, including rejection, including the one from many the one from many Popular Pary voters Popular Pary voters who were aganist who were aganist WarWar


1st KEY: 1st KEY: Iraq WarIraq War José María José María

Aznar justified Aznar justified his bellicist his bellicist stance on stance on assumptions assumptions that very soon that very soon were proved were proved as wrongas wrong

The first The first argument was argument was the famous the famous and falses and falses weapons of weapons of massive massive destructionsdestructions


2nd KEY: 2nd KEY: Azores’ pictureAzores’ picture The ratification and staging of José María The ratification and staging of José María

Aznar’s support to George Bush took place in Aznar’s support to George Bush took place in the famous Azores date, on 16th March 2003the famous Azores date, on 16th March 2003

That meeting marked a definitive turn in the That meeting marked a definitive turn in the Spanish traditional foreign policySpanish traditional foreign policy In the very Popular Party’s bosom, some critical In the very Popular Party’s bosom, some critical

voices with the strategy of the then President voices with the strategy of the then President arosearose

Spain distanced from France and Germany, in Spain distanced from France and Germany, in order to take a stand in the United States-United order to take a stand in the United States-United Kingdom axisKingdom axis

Ten keys about 11MTen keys about 11M 2nd KEY: 2nd KEY: Azore’s pictureAzore’s picture

Blair, Bush y Aznar in Azores (Portugal)Blair, Bush y Aznar in Azores (Portugal) Spain became Al Qaeda target, what has been confirmed in the Spain became Al Qaeda target, what has been confirmed in the

judiciary inquiry currently being carried out by judge Del Olmojudiciary inquiry currently being carried out by judge Del Olmo


3rd KEY: 3rd KEY: Casablanca attackCasablanca attack On 16th may 2003. On 16th may 2003.

Al Qaeda kills 45 Al Qaeda kills 45 people in Casa de people in Casa de España (Spanish España (Spanish House) in House) in Casablanca Casablanca (Morocco)(Morocco)


3rd KEY: 3rd KEY: Casablanca attackCasablanca attack Spanish Spanish

government denied government denied any link between any link between Spain’s involvement Spain’s involvement in Iraq War and in Iraq War and Casablanca killingCasablanca killing

Judiciary inquiry Judiciary inquiry has later has later determined a determined a DIRECT LINKDIRECT LINK

Ten keys about 11MTen keys about 11M 4th KEY: 4th KEY: First First

Spanish deathsSpanish deaths On 30th November On 30th November

2003, seven Spanish 2003, seven Spanish secret agents secret agents underwent an ambush underwent an ambush in the outskirts of in the outskirts of Baghdad and were Baghdad and were killedkilled

They are the first They are the first Spanish victims in the Spanish victims in the conflictconflict

In the picture, some In the picture, some Iraqis step on the Iraqis step on the Spanish dead bodiesSpanish dead bodies


5th KEY: 5th KEY: 9M surveys9M surveys On Monday 9 March 2005, last intention On Monday 9 March 2005, last intention

of vote surveys were publishedof vote surveys were published The Iraq War marked the electoral The Iraq War marked the electoral

campaigncampaign The PP had dilapidated a ten points The PP had dilapidated a ten points

adventage and two days before the adventage and two days before the Madrid attack the situation was a Madrid attack the situation was a technical draw between the Popular technical draw between the Popular Party supports and socialists’ onesParty supports and socialists’ ones

Ten keys about 11MTen keys about 11M 6th KEY: 6th KEY: 11M, the infamy day11M, the infamy day

On 11th Marcha 2004, Al Qaeda kills in On 11th Marcha 2004, Al Qaeda kills in Madrid 192 people and leave wounded 1500Madrid 192 people and leave wounded 1500

Most of the victims were young University Most of the victims were young University students, workers and inmigrantsstudents, workers and inmigrants

It is the wildest terrorist attack ever It is the wildest terrorist attack ever committed on European landcommitted on European land

The youngest victim of the killing was a The youngest victim of the killing was a seven months old Polish baby called seven months old Polish baby called Patrizia Rzaca. Her father, Wieslaw, Patrizia Rzaca. Her father, Wieslaw, also died on the attack. On the whole, also died on the attack. On the whole, four Polish citizens died in Madrid four Polish citizens died in Madrid massacremassacre


6th KEY: 6th KEY: 11M, the infamy day11M, the infamy day Twelve terrorists placed fourteen bombs in four Twelve terrorists placed fourteen bombs in four

trains that went off in the central Atocha Station trains that went off in the central Atocha Station and other two stations close to Spanish capitaland other two stations close to Spanish capital


6th KEY: 6th KEY: 11M, the infamy day11M, the infamy day Terror scenes were reproduced in Madrid Terror scenes were reproduced in Madrid

from 8:00 amfrom 8:00 am That same morning, on 11M, the investigators That same morning, on 11M, the investigators

already managed with certainty Al Qaeda clue, already managed with certainty Al Qaeda clue, what was reflected as well in the summary what was reflected as well in the summary being instructed by judge Del Olmobeing instructed by judge Del Olmo


6th KEY: 6th KEY: 11M, the infamy day11M, the infamy day Given the tightness of surveys, with the Given the tightness of surveys, with the

dead bodies in the mortuaries and the dead bodies in the mortuaries and the wonded in hospitals, the political logic wonded in hospitals, the political logic showed that an Al Qaeda attack would showed that an Al Qaeda attack would mean, as it was, a PP defeatmean, as it was, a PP defeat Aznar and his collaborators hurried up to Aznar and his collaborators hurried up to

build a guilty for the Madrid attack on the build a guilty for the Madrid attack on the very 11M: ETA (Basque terrorist organization)very 11M: ETA (Basque terrorist organization)

Depending on who were responsible for the Depending on who were responsible for the attack, so would be the elections winner:attack, so would be the elections winner:

ETA gave victory to Popular Party (PP)ETA gave victory to Popular Party (PP) Al Qaeda to Socialist Party (PSOE)Al Qaeda to Socialist Party (PSOE)


7th KEY: 7th KEY: From 11th to 14th March: From 11th to 14th March: information and desinformationinformation and desinformation In order to reach their goals, the In order to reach their goals, the

Government focused its strategy of Government focused its strategy of information and desinformation in two information and desinformation in two fronts:fronts:

Spanish public television (TVE)Spanish public television (TVE) Some ambassadors in foreing countriesSome ambassadors in foreing countries

On its side, the Socialist Party had Cadena On its side, the Socialist Party had Cadena SER (main radio station in Spain) SER (main radio station in Spain) invaluable assistance, contributing to the invaluable assistance, contributing to the definitive attrition of Aznar Governmentdefinitive attrition of Aznar Government

Ten keys about 11MTen keys about 11M 7th KEY: 7th KEY: From 11th to 14th March: From 11th to 14th March:

information and desinformationinformation and desinformation In the In the last last Reporteros sin FronterasReporteros sin Fronteras report report

on freedom of presson freedom of press, Spain ranks in the , Spain ranks in the penultimate position in European Union penultimate position in European Union (only before Italy)(only before Italy) RSFRSF denounce “the informative manipulation of denounce “the informative manipulation of

Government in the previous days to 14M Government in the previous days to 14M elections”elections”

This manipulation, desinformation or intoxication was This manipulation, desinformation or intoxication was denounced by the very foreign correspondentsdenounced by the very foreign correspondents

In the same way, In the same way, RSFRSF insists in denouncing the insists in denouncing the lack of freedom in the practice of journalism lack of freedom in the practice of journalism profession in the Basque Countryprofession in the Basque Country


7th KEY: 7th KEY: From 11th to 14th March: From 11th to 14th March: information and desinformationinformation and desinformation Evidences about Al Qaeda responsibility were Evidences about Al Qaeda responsibility were

clear. Police investigation indicated so, and the clear. Police investigation indicated so, and the government was perfectly informedgovernment was perfectly informed

To top it all, on 12th March, Israel secret services To top it all, on 12th March, Israel secret services sources, and the ones from the very CIA, pointed to Al sources, and the ones from the very CIA, pointed to Al QaedaQaeda

That same day, at night, a digital Londoner newspaper That same day, at night, a digital Londoner newspaper spread a note throught which Islamic terrorists assumed spread a note throught which Islamic terrorists assumed responsabilityresponsability

In spite of all, the Aznar government trenched in a wrong In spite of all, the Aznar government trenched in a wrong political and communication strategy that eventually cost political and communication strategy that eventually cost the 14M general electionsthe 14M general elections


8th KEY: 8th KEY: Who has been?Who has been? Political tension moved to street. Political tension moved to street. Spanish Spanish

citizens wanted to vote knowing the truth citizens wanted to vote knowing the truth about the attack authorsabout the attack authors

Spain was mourning. There was a Spain was mourning. There was a generalized anger and indignation in a generalized anger and indignation in a citizenship that scremed aloud: citizenship that scremed aloud: WHO HAS WHO HAS BEEN?BEEN?

The whole Spain mobilized, let’s see some The whole Spain mobilized, let’s see some examples of some days that became examples of some days that became historical:historical:

Mobilized students and crepes in all Mobilized students and crepes in all over Spain balconiesover Spain balconies

Minutes in silence, stops in works and Minutes in silence, stops in works and notes in Arabic demanding: NEVER notes in Arabic demanding: NEVER

AGAIN!AGAIN!

The rain didn’t impede that the The rain didn’t impede that the Spaniards run into the streets on Spaniards run into the streets on

Friday 12th March 2004Friday 12th March 2004

Politicians and Royal House led Madrid Politicians and Royal House led Madrid demonstration. The clamour was demonstration. The clamour was

unanimous: Who has been?unanimous: Who has been?From left to right: the former Interior minister Ángel From left to right: the former Interior minister Ángel

Acebes, Zapatero, Aznar, Prince Felipe and his Acebes, Zapatero, Aznar, Prince Felipe and his daughters the infants Elena and Cristinadaughters the infants Elena and Cristina

Two million people congregated on Two million people congregated on Atocha Station surrounding, place of Atocha Station surrounding, place of

attackattack

Madrid/12MMadrid/12M

Barcelona/12MBarcelona/12M

Bilbao/12MBilbao/12M

Sevilla/12MSevilla/12M

Valencia/12MValencia/12M

Zaragoza 12/MZaragoza 12/M


8th KEY: 8th KEY: Who has been?Who has been? Every kind of manipulation and political Every kind of manipulation and political

orientation leaked to the very orientation leaked to the very reflection dayreflection day The Government kept its strategy of The Government kept its strategy of

blaming ETA up to Saturday mindnigthblaming ETA up to Saturday mindnigth On the socialists falls the suspects of On the socialists falls the suspects of

promoting a quick campaign of pursuing, promoting a quick campaign of pursuing, coordinated through the cell phones and coordinated through the cell phones and consisting of mobilizations in front of the consisting of mobilizations in front of the Popular Party headquarters all over SpainPopular Party headquarters all over Spain


9th KEY: 9th KEY: 14M, 14M, electoral electoral overturning in overturning in SpainSpain All the development All the development

of referred events of referred events became in the polls became in the polls in a surprising in a surprising electoral electoral overturning and an overturning and an electoral landside electoral landside for socialistsfor socialists


9th KEY: 9th KEY: 14M, electoral overturning in 14M, electoral overturning in SpainSpain The 14M numbers summary is the The 14M numbers summary is the

following:following: Very high Spanish turn out. 78% turned out, Very high Spanish turn out. 78% turned out,

outstanding the mobilization or awekening of outstanding the mobilization or awekening of young voteyoung vote

Socialist Party went over 11 million votes, 42% Socialist Party went over 11 million votes, 42% getting 164 seatsgetting 164 seats

The PP fell 8 points behind the socialists, with The PP fell 8 points behind the socialists, with 34%, losing the Government and 35 seats34%, losing the Government and 35 seats

Ten keys about 11MTen keys about 11M 9th KEY: 9th KEY: 14M, electoral overturning in 14M, electoral overturning in

SpainSpain CONCLUSIONS:CONCLUSIONS:

Before the second Gulf War, the Popular Party Before the second Gulf War, the Popular Party headed by Aznar relied on a comfortable 8 points headed by Aznar relied on a comfortable 8 points advantage over the Socialist Partyadvantage over the Socialist Party

The Spanish involvement in the Iraqi conflict was The Spanish involvement in the Iraqi conflict was undermining these advantages during one year, undermining these advantages during one year, reaching the 9M with a technical drawreaching the 9M with a technical draw

The 11M attack in Madrid and the unlucky The 11M attack in Madrid and the unlucky management of Government from 11th to 14th management of Government from 11th to 14th was punished by citizenship, changing the was punished by citizenship, changing the previous 8 points in socialists favourprevious 8 points in socialists favour


9th KEY: 9th KEY: 14M, electoral overturning 14M, electoral overturning in Spainin Spain The first Government action by new The first Government action by new

president Zapatero was the president Zapatero was the withdraw of withdraw of Spanish troops from IraqSpanish troops from Iraq. This political . This political action was framed in the logic action was framed in the logic interpretation of 14M resultsinterpretation of 14M results

From that time on, the new Government From that time on, the new Government changed the foreing policy into traditional changed the foreing policy into traditional support to French-German axissupport to French-German axis

Ten keys about 11MTen keys about 11M 9th KEY: 9th KEY: 14M, 14M,

electoral overturning electoral overturning in Spainin Spain All the world press All the world press

echoed the 11M echoed the 11M attacks and the 14M attacks and the 14M electoral overturning; electoral overturning; Polish one was Polish one was included, outstanding included, outstanding the report published the report published by by PolitykaPolityka with a with a surprising and graphic surprising and graphic headline in Spanishheadline in Spanish


10th KEY: 10th KEY: The The victimsvictims After being After being

politically and politically and media manipulated, media manipulated, the 11M victims the 11M victims managed to raise managed to raise their voice in the their voice in the historical 16th historical 16th December 2004 December 2004 parlamentary parlamentary appearance appearance


10th KEY: 10th KEY: The victimsThe victims Pilar Manjón, who lost her 21 years old son in Pilar Manjón, who lost her 21 years old son in

the attack, was the victims’ spokeperson in a the attack, was the victims’ spokeperson in a memorable speech in the Congress of Deputiesmemorable speech in the Congress of Deputies

Ten keys about 11MTen keys about 11M 10th KEY: 10th KEY: VictimsVictims

Manjón demanded Manjón demanded responsabilities for responsabilities for 11M errors11M errors

She strongly criticised She strongly criticised politicians and some politicians and some mass media por using mass media por using their pain as a their pain as a “throwable weapon”“throwable weapon”

And she claimed, And she claimed, without success, an without success, an independent independent commission, without commission, without political parties, in political parties, in order to seek the truth order to seek the truth and make justiceand make justice

Today we commemorate the first Today we commemorate the first anniversary of massacreanniversary of massacre

In memory of the 192 victimsIn memory of the 192 victims

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Joshua Rodriguez Hunter