Reporteros Sin Fronteras España has expressed support for eldiario.es and five journalists sued by Julio Iglesias over an investigation into alleged sexual assaults.
The organization warned of the intimidating effect of the criminal case opened by the singer. Alfonso Bauluz, president of the Spanish section of RSF, said that resorting to criminal jurisdiction to respond to matters of public interest is especially worrying.
RSF acknowledged the measures taken by eldiario.es to protect sources, such as voice dubbing in the complainants' statements. The group noted that journalists must answer in court if they violate third-party rights, but distinguished between legitimate debate over the accuracy of information and using criminal law to question journalistic work.
RSF's backing joins support received this Wednesday from the Federation of Associations of Journalists of Spain and the Association of Journalists of Madrid, which described the lawsuit as abusive and intimidating. Iglesias is suing the outlet, its director Ignacio Escolar and journalists Juan Luis Sánchez, María Ramírez, Ana Requena and Elena Cabrera for libel, slander and a crime against moral integrity.
