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From Santaolalla's cries to Ruiz's 'we won't be the red guards': this is how La Séptima and Contreras' soldiers land
Spain🏛️ PoliticsLean Progressive9/7/2026

From Santaolalla's cries to Ruiz's 'we won't be the red guards': this is how La Séptima and Contreras' soldiers land

The article discusses the launch of La Séptima, a new Spanish television channel founded by José Miguel Contreras, which positions itself as progressive and anti-Fox News. The channel's founders, including Javier Ruiz and Sarah Santaolalla, describe their vision as open and inclusive, aiming to provide a platform for diverse viewpoints while rejecting partisan politics. However, the article notes that the channel has already shown a dismissive attitude toward certain groups, such as those identified as 'X,' and has expressed skepticism toward traditional media figures. The piece highlights the enthusiasm surrounding the channel's debut at the Festival of Vitoria, with Contreras emphasizing the importance of creating a new model of television that reflects contemporary values and provides a space for understanding the world. While the channel claims to be non-partisan, the tone and rhetoric suggest a clear ideological leaning towards progressivism.

The launch of La Séptima, Spain’s new television channel founded by José Miguel Contreras, has drawn widespread attention, with its presenters and creators emphasizing their commitment to a progressive yet open platform. During the official presentation at the FesTVal de Vitoria, Contreras described the network as the "first chain of the new era of television," highlighting the ambition to create a space for diverse voices. Presenters such as Javier Ruiz and Sarah Santaolalla expressed excitement and pride over the project, which they described as both a professional endeavor and a deeply personal mission. The event was marked by emotional moments, including tears from Santaolalla and other presenters during the promotional video screening. Contreras emphasized that La Séptima aims to fill a void in Spanish media, offering a platform that is neither aligned with political parties nor biased toward specific ideologies. He stated that the network would provide a broad spectrum of perspectives, though early indications suggest that the initial lineup of presenters leans more toward progressive views. Despite this, Contreras acknowledged the need for a range of opinions, stating that conservative viewpoints could also find a place within the channel. During the presentation, Ruiz highlighted the network's stance against being perceived as a purely left-leaning entity, noting that La Séptima would not be "the red guards." Instead, the network seeks to foster inclusive dialogue and provide comprehensive coverage of current events. The presenters were visibly enthusiastic, with some expressing confidence in the success of the venture, while others, like Quequé, humorously noted that failure would be attributed to Ruiz. Santaolalla, one of the key faces of La Séptima, discussed her journey to joining the network. She revealed that Contreras had approached her directly in 2024, initially proposing the project when it was linked to Grupo Prisa, although that effort ultimately failed. After the setback, she felt a renewed sense of purpose and opportunity. Santaolalla confirmed that she will continue her collaborations with public television, acknowledging the challenge of balancing her commitments between La Séptima and her existing roles. However, she expressed hope that her work with public broadcasting would continue, despite potential concerns about her dual involvement. She also addressed the broader issues facing journalism, reflecting on the rise of far-right movements and the challenges faced by media professionals. Santaolalla reaffirmed that La Séptima would remain independent of government influence, focusing instead on serving the public and delivering accurate information. Her comments underscored the network’s goal of providing unbiased reporting and fostering a more informed citizenry. The launch of La Séptima marks a significant moment in Spanish media, with its founders and presenters committed to creating a new kind of television experience. As the network prepares for its official debut on November 5, the expectations surrounding its impact on the media landscape continue to grow.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 2 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

Responsible editor: Matej BašaSpotted an error? Report it

2 reports

El Confidencial logoEl ConfidencialIndependent🔒CenterFactual 85Objective 759/7/2026
Sarah Santaolalla: "The Seventh will not work for any government, but for the citizen and the news"

Sarah Santaolalla, reconocida periodista española, anunció su incorporación como presentadora y figura clave en La Séptima, una nueva cadena de televisión que debutará en España el 5 de noviembre. Durante la presentación del canal en el FesTVal de Vitoria, Santaolalla explicó cómo recibió la oferta de José Miguel Contreras, destacando la ilusión de cumplir un sueño personal tras años en los medios. También mencionó las dificultades de compatibilizar su nuevo rol con sus colaboraciones en Televisión Española. Además, reflexionó sobre temas sociales como el auge de la ultraderecha y la frustración ciudadana, aunque no abordó estos temas con profundidad política.

Bias read (Center): El artículo presenta la decisión profesional de Santaolalla sin tomar partido explícito sobre su postura política. Mientras menciona temas relevantes como el auge de la ultraderecha y la situación de los medios, no se inclina hacia ninguna ideología específica ni se da prioridad a fuentes políticas.

Why factuality (85): The article provides details about Sarah Santaolalla joining La Séptima, including her role, the process of receiving the offer from José Miguel Contreras, and her comments on the channel’s independence from government influence. These claims align with the cross-source consensus that she is joining

Why objectivity (75): The article presents Santaolalla’s perspective and includes quotes from her, which is reasonable given the nature of a profile piece. However, there is a slight editorial tilt in emphasizing her personal journey and the challenges she faces, which could be seen as slightly subjective. The tone remai

ABC (España) logoABC (España)IndependentProgressiveFactual 85Objective 709/7/2026
From Santaolalla's cries to Ruiz's 'we won't be the red guards': this is how La Séptima and Contreras' soldiers land

The article discusses the launch of La Séptima, a new Spanish television channel founded by José Miguel Contreras, which positions itself as progressive and anti-Fox News. The channel's founders, including Javier Ruiz and Sarah Santaolalla, describe their vision as open and inclusive, aiming to provide a platform for diverse viewpoints while rejecting partisan politics. However, the article notes that the channel has already shown a dismissive attitude toward certain groups, such as those identified as 'X,' and has expressed skepticism toward traditional media figures. The piece highlights the enthusiasm surrounding the channel's debut at the Festival of Vitoria, with Contreras emphasizing the importance of creating a new model of television that reflects contemporary values and provides a space for understanding the world. While the channel claims to be non-partisan, the tone and rhetoric suggest a clear ideological leaning towards progressivism.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames La Séptima as a progressive alternative to traditional media, using language that emphasizes inclusivity and rejection of conservative narratives. While the channel claims to avoid partisan politics, the emphasis on being 'anti-Fox' and the dismissal of certain groups suggests a左翼

Why factuality (85): The article provides detailed descriptions of statements made by Javier Ruiz and José Miguel Contreras regarding the launch of La Séptima, including quotes and contextual background. These claims align with the broader narrative found in other sources covering the same event, suggesting a high degre

Why objectivity (70): The article uses emotionally charged language such as 'llantos de Santaolalla' and 'no seremos los rojos de guardia,' which may imply bias toward certain political perspectives. The tone appears somewhat critical of other media outlets while promoting La Séptima, indicating a moderate level of subje

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