Overview

• With votes from PSOE and Sumar, the Mesa del Congreso adopted an instruction that implements July’s rule change, while the PP opposed it and denounced curbs on fundamental rights.
• The text bans deceptive or privacy‑violating image and audio capture and bars recording in cafeterias, restaurants, reserved offices, parking areas, basements, security zones and other restricted spaces without express authorization.
• Interviews or briefings require the subject’s permission, unconsented approaches with recording equipment are prohibited, and follow‑along pursuits are not allowed except in designated press areas.
• Accreditation is tightened to bona fide media authorized by the Dirección de Comunicación, with a minimum staff of ten; blogs, personal sites, YouTube channels, social profiles and aggregators are excluded, and freelancers must be backed by a media outlet.
• Infractions are classified as minor, serious or very serious with penalties from warnings and suspensions of 10 working days up to three years to permanent revocation, assessed through a new consultative council whose report precedes a final decision by the Mesa and a 15‑day appeal window.