Archive footage exposes Julio Iglesias
The impact of the investigation into the sexual abuse of Julio Iglesias published by Eldiario.es And Univision turned its television programming upside down. Regular broadcasts dwelled on the details of the journalistic work and the allegations, and at night Telecinco and La Sexta aired special programs to delve deeper into the case.
The result was grotesque and the most tragic evidence of the crisis in television journalism, which has become a vulgar information grinder. We witnessed how easy it is to destroy an impeccable journalistic investigation. Three years of work carried out with rigor, prudence, respect, and priority for the victims were turned into a rushed, pathetic, and negligent spectacle by professionals who only seek ratings.
A The Sixth KeyThe presenter, Joaquín Castellón, imitates Antonio García Ferreras's intonation, pauses, and theatricality to the point of becoming a comical parody of the character. This narrative contributed a sensationalism and false intrigue that detracted from the value of the information. Those responsible for the investigation ofEldiario.esThose interviewed on the program seemed uncomfortable with the scenario unfolding before them, with them as mere extras. The program interviewed any woman who had ever met the singer, to dig for any clues they might have missed. On Telecinco, in the special It's Friday!The horror multiplied with Ana Obregón's presence on the set to defend her friend. Obregón questioned the accusations with naive and simplistic arguments. The more she spoke, the more she undermined herself. But the program contributed to the absurdity. They aired an interview with one of the anonymous victims who have accused Julio Iglesias. They split the screen, and on the other half, they showed Ana Obregón making faces to discredit what she was saying. A blatant form of revictimization. The artist lost all perspective on the seriousness of the case and, frightened and laughing, as if she were on a variety show, asked the studio audience:Do you believe what this woman is saying?"And the people, in unison, exclaimed:"Yesssss!"To the disgust that Julio Iglesias already inspires is added the disgust of the spectacle."
One crucial point remained consistent throughout the day. All the programs focused on searching for television archive footage showing Julio Iglesias behaving lewdly toward women, groping them, forcing kisses, and even engaging in aggressive behavior. His obscene comments, in which he boasted of his voracious sexuality, were also included. These alarming scenes now take on a new meaning. This has happened before, as in previous cases, such as those involving Jimmy Savile on the BBC and Russell Brand on MTV and Channel 4. Once the abuses and accusations are uncovered, the archive footage reveals that the predator was right under our noses, but that rape culture had, for decades, normalized the behavior of men who disguised their insatiable and aggressive conduct as humor.
