Spain: El Salto Contributing Journalist Joanna Giménez Arrested While Filming A Climate Protest

Location:  Spain, Madrid   
Date: November 6, 2022

Joanna Giménez, a contributor at El Salto periodical was arrested on Sunday, November 6, as she filmed a protest by Futuro Vegetal activists at the Prado Museum in Madrid. The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns her arrest and demands that Spanish authorities exude higher regard for journalists and freedom of information. 

Journalist Joanna Giménez along with a photojournalist documented two activists from Futuro Vegetal who painted “1.5°C” on the wall of the art gallery in efforts to accent failing policies to limit the global warming crisis. The activists then proceeded to glue themselves to the frame of paintings by Spanish artist Francisco de Goya, “La maja nua” and “La maja vestida”. This was one of many protests by global climate activists in recent weeks as a joint attempt to raise awareness about and sound off the alarm on global warming. The protests were coordinated to take place ahead of the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference.

Reportedly, Giménez informed security forces at the scene that she was a journalist, and had a right to film a matter of public interest and inform about the social issue. Giménez and her colleague were coerced to stop filming. Giménez was then arrested by the National Police, and taken to Arganzuela police station where they were held incommunicado overnight and charged with property damage, damage to historical heritage and disruption of public order. Police authorities accused both journalists of actively participating in the protest even if they filmed the incident and did not engage in the act of trying to deface the paintings which were not damaged. Giménez and the photojournalist could face up to three years in prison, or a hefty fine if found guilty. 

El Salto wrote in an editorial: “The arrest of the two journalists is inadmissible because it attacks the freedom of information that citizens receive and the plurality of messages conveyed by the media”. The arrests were condemned by Spanish journalist unions who voiced their concern about the incident. International press freedom organizations also criticized the arrests and demanded that the charges against the media workers be dropped.

In an interview for El Salto, Giménez said “Being in prison is something unpleasant and distressing, but it is true that ethically I was calm because I know that I only did my work". 

Giménez said that the police first contacted her requesting her testimony as a witness. Soon after they contacted her again with a changed rhetoric and in a much more urgent tone and summoned her to the police station. When questioning their change in attitude when she had just been called as a witness they conveyed that she was in fact accused and under investigation. She was told that in case of not appearing at the police station she would be arrested. Giménez said that prior to going to the station she needed to seek legal assistance. 

Both Giménez and the photojournalist went to El Retiro police station at 9:30 on Sunday only to find out that they were about to be detained which astonished her lawyer. The police officer did not allow the lawyer to speak, interrupted him several times, and proceeded to arrest Giménez. Although the lawyer tried to explain that arrest was not necessary in this situation. 

Giménez said, "I understand my arrest as an attempt to dissuade other journalists". The Coalition For Women In Journalism stands with Joanna Giménez and all mistreated journalists whose primary focus is to keep the public informed on issues that affect them directly. Their work is vital and an essential pillar of democracy. We demand that all charges against Joanna Giménez be dropped immediately.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

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