PDLI founding members and organizations

The Bar Association of Madrid (ICAM)

Founded in 1596, currently the Bar Bar Association of Madrid (ICAM) has more than 77,000 members. Since 2013, Sonia Gumpert has been chairperson, the first woman to hold this position. As part of their duties, the Bar has always been motivated by causes affecting the basic rights of citizens. Recent examples of this include the petition to waive court fees, the rights of detainees, and the defense of free legal aid. The chairperson, Sonia Gumpert, holds the Vice Presidency of the FIDP.

Twitter: @icam_es Website: http://web.icam.es/

The Progressive Prosecutor’s Association (UPF)

The Progressive Prosecutor’s Association (UPF) is a professional association of prosecutors founded in 1985. Together with other associations of European judges and prosecutors, including the Spanish Judges for Democracy (JPD), they belong to the association of European Judges for Democracy and Freedom (MEDEL). The UPF have publicly spoken out against the curtailing of rights, court fees, and for the rights of migrant people and the right of free expression for judges and prosecutors.

Twitter: @UPFiscales Website: http://www.upfiscales.com/

The Federation of Journalist Trade Unions (FeSP)

The Federation of Journalist Trade Unions (FeSP) joins independent unions of information professionals. The unions of the FeSP “represent workers whose principal livelihoods derive from periodic reporting in any format or medium, including presently active professionals as well as the unemployed or retired”. The FeSP is a member of the European Federation of Journalists (FEP), the International Federation of Journalists (FIP), and the Forum of Journalist Organizations.

Twitter: @FeSPeriodistas Website: http://www.fesp.org/

eldiario.es

eldiario.es is a digital news site launched in 2012, which has become a reference point as much for its independent news as for its member supported financial model. From its standpoint on human rights and freedom of information, their editorial priorities include cooperation with other social collectives and projects as part of the larger discussion.

20minutos

Leader of Spain’s freely-distributed press and the first Spanish daily newspaper to publish under a Creative Commons license, 15 years after its launch 20minutos is now a touchstone in social and citizen journalism, Internet innovation, and reader participation. It’s the second most widely read printed news in Spain (EGM), and the second most-widely read in Spanish (comsCore) and the fourth most-read online Spanish news (comsCore). Print editions are available in eight cities (Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Zaragoza, Seville, Granada, Cordoba and Malaga). Their public service reporting has been recognized with numerous awards and distinctions.

Twitter: @20m Website: http://www.20minutos.es/

The Consumer and Users Organization (OCU)

The Consumer and Users Organization (OCU) is a nonprofit, private, independent association founded in 1975 for the promotion of consumer interests, helping consumers to assert their rights. The OCU does not depend on subsidies; they boast more than 300,000 members whose fees fund all the organization’s activities. Their actions are geared towards the continual improvement of living conditions for consumers and users. In particular, the OCU calls for the recognition by law and the full ability to exercise the following rights: the right to effective protection against risks that threaten the health and safety of consumers and users; the right to effective protection against risks capable of causing economic harm; the right to advice, assistance and reparation of damages suffered by consumers and users; the right to information and education; the right to a hearing, counsel and representation, and the right of consumers and users to participate in the process of making decisions which concern them.

Twitter: @consumidores Website: http://www.ocu.org/organizacion/

Manuel Maroto Calatayud

Professor of Criminal Law at the University of Castilla-la Mancha (UCLM). Doctorate in Law from the University of Castilla-La Mancha, with a thesis entitled “Corruption and funding of political parties: a political-criminal analysis” (2012). His main areas of research have been corruption and the financing of political parties, the criminal liability of legal entities, and notable tech-related criminal-political trends.

Twitter: @manumaroto Website: http://uclm.academia.edu/ManuelMaroto

Manuel Sánchez de Diego Fernández de la Riva

Professor of Constitutional Law at Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), is a lawyer and journalist. Doctor (1991) and BA (1981) in Law from UCM. Degree in Information Sciences (Journalism) from UCM (1984). Advanced Studies Diploma (2010) in Communication Management: Public Relations, Information and Publicity from the University of Vigo. Diploma in Constitutional Law and Political Science (1981-1983) from the Center for Constitutional and Political Studies. Chairperson of the selection board for entrance examinations to Judiciary (2000 and 2001) and Public Prosecution (2001) degree programs. European expert in Phare anticorruption programs in Romania and Slovakia (2002).

Website: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/manuel-sanchez-de-diego-frdez-de-la-riva/18/38a/85b

Networking, Movements and Technopolitics

Research Group of the UOC (IN3-UOC). Research group of the “Internet Interdisciplinary Institute” (IN3) of the Open University of Catalonia (UOC). Defined as “a laboratory for the research and analysis of network movements, based on the experience and knowledge resulting from the intersection between movements and the university.” They’re dedicated to contributing to the analysis of the processes of social mobilization “which have emerged in the world since the crisis began in 2008, and especially since 2011, in which networks have played a crucial role.”

Twitter: @Tecnopolítica_ Website: http://tecnopolitica.net/

Disopress

News agency founded 2013, specializing in social content, “understanding that social is a broad concept encompassing politics, culture, ecology, feminism and labor”. From this point of view, their coverage closely follows mobilizations and citizen protests (demonstrations, imprisonments, evictions, etc.) which do not always find room in the mainstream media.

Twitter: @Disopress Website: http://disopress.com/index.php

Virginia Pérez Alonso

Journalist. Founder of 20minutos in 2000, Spain’s first freely distributed newspaper. Became deputy director of its online edition between 2008 and 2012, during which time it rose as a leader in innovation and social journalism to become one of the three most-read online Spanish newspapers in the world. Deputy editor-in-chief of Grupo 20 Minutos since 2012, where she comanaged all publications and led the digital transformation of the editorial group. Won the iRedes award in 2012 for representing a new generation of media executives who understand the cultural transformation required in newsrooms. Formerly worked at La Voz de Galicia, EFE, Radiovoz and Cinco Días. Acted as juror for several of the most prestigious journalism contests, including the Gabriel García Márquez Journalism Award and the Miguel Delibes National Journalism Prize. Frequently attends conferences, symposia, congresses and seminars on journalism and its treatment of issues related to human rights and inequality. Occasional radio and television contributor. Has been elected President of the FIDP.

Twitter: @virginiapalonso. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/virginiapalonsoperiodista

Mario Tascón

Journalist specializing in the digital world and new media. Managing partner of the consultancy Prodigioso Volcán. Former deputy editor of El Mundo and the first director and driving force behind elmundo.es; general manager of digital content at Grupo Prisa and managing editor of lainformacion.com, as well as consultant to more than 20 international media outlets. Teacher at the Gabriel García Márquez New Latin American Journalism Foundation. Author or co-author of books including “Twittergrafía”, “Writing on the Internet: a guide to new media and social networks”, “Cyberactivism: the new revolutions of the connected masses” and novels like “The Bastard Bible”. Chairperson for FIDP.

Twitter:@mtascon Website: http://www.prodigiosovolcan.com/

Carlos Sánchez Almeida

Practicing lawyer since 1987, involved in activism for civil liberties on the Internet since 1995. Contributor to numerous digital media outlets. Chairperson and Legal Director of FIDP.

Twitter: @bufetalmeida Website: http://www.bufetalmeida.com

Juan Luis Sánchez

Founder and Deputy Director of eldiario.es. Specialized in new media and its connection with political and social debates. Radio and television contributor. Author of “The 10 Tides of Change” and other publications on communication and network society. He teaches at the Official Master of Innovation in Journalism program at Miguel Hernández University. He is a member and Information Director at FIDP.

Twitter: @juanlusanchez

Stéphane M. Grueso

Documentary filmmaker. Developed his career in Spain and Germany, where he has lived for 7 years. Creator of documentaries such as “Copyright, or the right to copy” and “15M: Excellent. A Wake-up Call. Important”. Copromoter of the project 15M.cc. Works in education, teaching transmedia, new formats, new technologies and media, cultural management and audiovisual production. Writes for #Interferencias, an ElDiario.es opinion blog. Active in networks, social actions and movements in Madrid. He is Treasurer of the FIDP, and in charge of training.

Twitter: @fanetin Website: http://steph.es

Yolanda Quintana

Journalist. Researcher on social movements and their relation to the internet and media. Author of books including “Society, consumers and media”, and “Cyberactivism: the new revolutions of the connected masses” (co-authored with Mario Tascón). Works in a consumer organization. Writes for Diario Turing (ElDiario.es) on privacy, hacktivism and digital rights. Coordinator and Secretary General of FIDP.

Twitter: @Y_quintana

Joan Barata

Intermediary Liability Fellow at Center for Internet and Society at Stanford Center for Internet & Society. He is an international expert in freedom of expression, freedom of information and media regulation. As a scholar, he has spoken and done extensive research in these areas, working and collaborating with various universities and academic centers, from Asia to Africa and America, authoring papers, articles and books, and addressing specialized Parliament committees. He was Principal Adviser to the Representative on Freedom of the Media at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), as well as Secretary General of the Catalan Audio-Visual Council in Spain, while also being a member of the Secretariat of the Mediterranean Network of Regulatory Authorities. As an international expert, Joan has provided advice to international organizations, NGOs, Governments, legislators and regulators in most regions of the world, including Africa, Asia and Latin America. Joan spends most of him time leaping from one continent to the other, having one constant in the ever changing landscape: his awesome kid in Barcelona.

Twitter: @joanbarata

Sonia Sánchez

Journalist. Communication Director with extensive experience in national political journalism both in television and radio, now in the tourism and hotel industry. Bachelor of Journalism and Executive MBA from IE Business School. Enthusiast of teamwork, analytical and creative. Responsible for the “Woman” area of the PDLI.

Twitter: @sanchez_sonia