The main multimedia group in Spain, with influence in Latin America, is experiencing moments of turmoil following the forced resignation of the president of Prisa Media, Carlos Núñez. The company's president, Joseph Oughourlian, announced the acceptance of Núñez's resignation from his positions as Executive Counselor, member of the Delegated Commission, and president of Prisa Media.
These changes are taking place amid an intense economic and political battle within Prisa, after the Board of Directors rejected a grant offer for open television, according to the National Securities Market Commission. Former Prisa officials mentioned that rejecting the open television proposal was due to the group's economic situation and the complications it could entail in renegotiating the debt.
The renowned journalist Pedro J. Ramírez, director of El Español, commented: "Never before has something like this been seen: the Board of Directors of a company, to which the government wants to grant, as soon as possible and in any way, a television concession, agrees to reject it." According to Pedro J., Oughourlian's decision was based on technical and financial criteria. The aim is to prevent a debt-laden group from taking on more unnecessary risks.
The president of Prisa is determined to purge the group of what he describes as "plumbers from La Moncloa," referring to the government headquarters. The television channel proposal was presented by Carlos Núñez and José Miguel Contreras, content director of the Group, supported by shareholders close to the PSOE.
The resignation of the director of Prisa Video, Fran Llorente, is seen as a prelude to the imminent departure of the content director, José Miguel Contreras. Additionally, it is expected that the director of El País, Pepa Bueno, will submit her resignation in the coming hours, according to sources from The Objective, a newspaper founded by former members of El País.
The outcome of this conflict in Prisa is yet to be determined. The Objective highlights that the key is whether Oughourlian will be able to calm the situation in the company after the dismissal of executives or if this will strengthen the rebels with ties to La Moncloa to depose him from the presidency. There is a possibility of an agreement between shareholders close to the Government and Vivendi to remove Oughourlian from his position as president of the company.
