The director of El Plural who points out the EDA cameraman for being from the PP holds a position in the PSOE.

The recent clash between Antonio Maestre and EDATV has once again sparked controversies in the media sphere.

LaSexta's contributor starred in a new episode of tension by throwing the microphone of this house's reporter, Vito Quiles, after a question at the exit of an event.

Maestre has found an ally in El Plural, a media outlet led by the socialist José María Garrido, which has intensified its criticism toward EDATV.

The most recent attack targeted cameraman Juan Manuel Pulido, whom El Plural pointed out in an article that some describe as harassment.

The mentioned media, with clear affinities to the Government, disqualified this house's cameraman for having run on an electoral list of the Popular Party.

This episode has caused criticism toward the newspaper, which from its direction seems to have adopted an editorial line aligned with the Government, as occurred in previous episodes linked to the PSOE.

Garrido's Ties with the PSOE

The relationship of El Plural with the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party has been a subject of questioning. In 2022, the PSOE placed José María Garrido, a journalist closely linked to the party, at the helm of the media outlet.

Garrido has served as Secretary of Organization and Director of Communication for the PSOE in San Sebastián de los Reyes. Additionally, he was an advisor in the City Council, a position to which, according to various municipal sources, he practically didn't attend to work.

EDATV contacted Garrido by phone this Saturday, and he didn't respond.

Additionally, Garrido belongs to the circle of influence of the former Chief of Staff of Óscar López. This environment includes Rafael Sánchez Acera, a leader of the PSOE in Alcobendas and brother of said Chief of Staff.

Sánchez Acera, who was also a councilor in Alcobendas until 2007, has been pointed out meanwhileicipation in political strategies such as the leaks related to the Madrid Assembly.

Past Controversies of El Plural

The partisan nature of El Plural is not new. The media was pointed out for its role in the leak scandal when Rafael Sánchez Acera alluded to it to persuade the leader of PSOE-M, Juan Lobato.

Likewise, El Plural spread erroneous information about the supposed two IDs of Judge Peinado to discredit an investigation involving Begoña Gómez.

Garrido was the author of the news, which the newspaper was later forced to correct.

A Controversial History of Its Director

José María Garrido has also been involved in personal controversies. In 2020, his appointment as Director of Communication for the mayor of San Sebastián de los Reyes, Narciso Romero, caused a stir.

At that time, Garrido had just been convicted by the Supreme Court for violating the honor of ETA's victims.

The sentence was related to articles in which Francisco José Alcaraz, president of the AVT, was falsely accused of receiving high salaries.

Garrido's political past and his involvement in PSOE campaigns reinforce suspicions that El Plural acts as the party's arm. Despite this, the media continues to project itself as independent in its publications.

Escalation of Attacks

The recent attack against EDATV seems to be part of a broader strategy of discrediting critical media toward the Government.

Both Antonio Maestre and El Plural have redoubled efforts to discredit this house. Something many interpret as a reaction to the growing impact of the uncomfortable questions that EDATV poses in the public sphere.

The episode starring Maestre and the pointing at Pulidon't only fuel the controversy but also question the limits of press freedom.

Meanwhile, EDATV reiterates its commitment to independent journalism, denouncing what it describes as "a coordinated harassment campaign."