At the Premios Vanguardia 2026 in Barcelona, Alberto Núñez Feijóo argued that journalism cannot keep public trust without facts and credibility.
On 28 September 2026, Alberto Núñez Feijóo spoke at the Premios Vanguardia 2026 in Barcelona about the future of journalism. He said a newspaper loses credibility when it stops defending facts. The ceremony also recognised figures from culture, business and civil society.
The event took place at the Palau de Congresos de Catalunya. Feijóo paid tribute to La Vanguardia as the newspaper marked its 145th anniversary. He praised its long history under a family of editors and called it a publication able to help shape the future of Catalunya and Spain. Pedro Sánchez, Salvador Illa and Barcelona mayor Jaume Collboni were among the political figures at the gala.
Premios Vanguardia 2026 took place on 28 September at the Palau de Congressos de Catalunya in Barcelona, with Pedro Sánchez, Salvador Illa and Jaume Collboni among the political figures present.
His message was direct. Media outlets need credibility to survive. Feijóo said the press must protect pluralism and separate truth from falsehood in its reporting and editorial positions. La Vanguardia's coverage also focused on "pluralidad informativa", "rigor periodístico" and freedom of the press.
That argument fits the wider political profile of the PP leader. His position on national issues also appeared in an earlier PP report. At the gala, his subject was different. He spoke about the role of journalism, not housing or electoral strategy.
Feijóo also praised Barcelona and Catalunya while discussing this year's winners. He singled out Isidro Fainé, president of Fundación 'la Caixa'. He mentioned Joan Manuel Serrat and the legacy of Montserrat Caballé. Reports by La Vanguardia and EFE described the same mix of cultural, civic and political themes.
The awards were launched in 2023 and, in their 2026 edition, marked La Vanguardia’s 145th anniversary. Organisers and the editorial team presented the gala as a major public event, with more than 1,200 guests and 10 awards spanning culture, science, business and civic initiatives.
The guest list gave him another point to make. He presented the awards as an open event with an international reach. He mentioned the prime minister of Groenlandia and the focus on autonomy and sovereignty linked to that appearance. In his view, the honourees represented a society that reference media should include in their content and editorials.
The ceremony became more than an anniversary celebration in Feijóo's account. It gave him a platform to connect press freedom with editorial responsibility and public trust. The presence of national, Catalan and municipal representatives added institutional weight.
The hardest point for media organisations was also the clearest one. Credibility depends on factual accuracy. La Vanguardia's anniversary and the range of award winners gave that argument a real setting. It did not remain an abstract defence of journalism.
Feijóo's message set a clear professional standard. A free press needs plural voices and facts that can withstand scrutiny. Without that base, freedom grows weaker and credibility fades. Europa Press reported that Feijóo stayed in Barcelona the next day for a meeting with the Terrassa business community. His visit therefore covered a wider political and economic agenda, not only the awards ceremony.
