A new season of a popular talk program premiered on laSexta this Sunday, featuring Mario Conde as the central figure. The seasoned journalist Gonzo conducted an in-depth interview with the former Banesto president to mark the 25th anniversary of his first conviction, a candid conversation that touched on the arc of Conde’s rise and fall and the dynamics that surrounded his career in the public eye. The exchange also revisited the often subtle entanglements between powerful business interests and the state, including references to the king and to honorary titles that have long sparked public debate.
Gonzo recalled a pivotal moment from 1992 when Epoca magazine began reporting on alleged romantic links involving Juan Carlos I. Conde asserted that he acquired 50 percent of Epoca shares to intervene in the discussion: “Then he called the king and said the magazine would stop mentioning these matters.” Conde emphasized that the stake was a strategic media purchase, not a personal alliance with Juan Carlos’ alleged relationships: “We bought half of Epoca, but it has nothing to do with the king’s private life.”
The interview also confronted Conde with the use of his media influence to scrutinize information about the monarch. He conceded that, when the Marta Gayá affair became a topic, figures such as Antonio Asensio, Luis María Ansón, and Pedro J. made approaches; Conde stated that he could access materials to ensure the private lives of public figures did not become front-page fodder.
He later reflected on the broader media environment, arguing that blame for self-censorship should not be outsourced. “Now, the media bears responsibility for the silence, not someone else,” Conde said. He added that having a minority stake did not compel him to influence the majority’s decisions, and that self-censorship remains a current reality in the industry.
Interview with Barbara Rey
Conde also discussed a meeting with Bárbara Rey during the interview. He recounted that his lawyer had contacted the actress and that the conversations raised concerns for him. After preparing a report, he noted that the matter caused worry within the royal circle.
To address the issue, the king’s representatives reportedly sought intervention through political channels. Conde recounted that José María Aznar suggested the matter was inappropriate to pursue within the state’s framework, a stance Conde dismissed, saying he was not part of the state apparatus. He asserted that it was the king who showed concern for the issue rather than Aznar, a point he highlighted in the laSexta segment.
The dialogue underscores the delicate balance between media power, political influence, and royal privacy that has characterized Spain’s recent history. The interview frames Conde’s perspective on how information was managed, what actions were taken behind the scenes, and how the institution of monarchy navigated episodes that touched the public’s appetite for scandal and accountability. The program positions itself as a forum for examining the intersections of business, media, and governance, inviting viewers to consider how exclusive access and editorial discretion shape national narratives.
These reflections arrive amid ongoing discussions about transparency, accountability, and the role of journalism in a modern democracy. The conversation with Conde offers a provocative lens on how power operates in the shadows of press coverage, and how administrators and media owners sometimes influence the flow of information in ways that affect public perception of biographical events and institutional reputation. Attribution: laSexta interview archive.