ABC has parted ways with Javier Chicote during a shake-up of its investigative team. The move comes after more than a decade of his reporting. The decision follows recent changes in newsroom leadership.
ABC has ended its professional relationship with Javier Chicote, one of its most prominent investigative journalists, as the newspaper undergoes a significant overhaul of its investigative unit. The decision, which comes after 14 years of Chicote's work at the publication, marks the first high-profile departure since the editorial staff reached a new salary agreement with management last spring. That agreement included a clause against dismissals for reasons not attributable to employees, making the timing of Chicote's exit particularly notable.
The restructuring at ABC, led by editor Julián Quirós, has placed the investigative section under the direction of Ketty Garat, whose appointment was announced just over two weeks ago following her departure from The Objective. The change in leadership coincides with the decision to let Chicote go, a move that has surprised many colleagues and readers familiar with his extensive body of work.
Chicote addressed his departure publicly on social media, expressing gratitude for his years at ABC and reflecting on his contributions to the newspaper's reputation beyond Spain. He emphasized his sense of accomplishment and thanked readers for their support throughout his tenure. According to industry sources, Chicote is currently considering several professional offers, including the possibility of hosting a current affairs program on a national television network.
During his time at ABC, Javier Chicote became a leading figure in Spanish investigative journalism. He was responsible for major exclusives involving figures such as José Luis Ábalos, Koldo García, Delcy Rodríguez, and José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, as well as investigations into the CNIO. His credentials include a doctorate in Journalism from the Complutense University and the 2018 Best Journalist of the Year award from the Madrid Press Association. In addition to his print work, Chicote is a regular analyst on TVE and Cuatro and has authored five books, including “El jefe de los espías” and “El periodismo de investigación en España.”
The departure of a high-profile journalist during a newsroom shake-up is not unique to ABC. Similar tensions have surfaced in other Spanish media outlets, as seen when a heated on-air exchange led to a presenter leaving the set in tears on 'Malas lenguas noche'—an incident that drew widespread attention and highlighted the pressures within the industry. For more on such newsroom dynamics, see this report on recent events at 'Malas lenguas'.
ABC's decision to part ways with Chicote underscores the shifting landscape of Spanish journalism, where editorial strategies and leadership changes can have immediate and visible effects on newsroom composition. As the investigative team adapts to new leadership, the industry will be watching to see how ABC's coverage evolves and whether other departures or appointments follow. The case also raises questions about the stability of employment agreements in Spanish media, especially when organizational priorities shift. Chicote's next steps, whether in television or another media outlet, are likely to attract attention given his established reputation and the current focus on investigative reporting in Spain.
