He left for Madrid, like seven other journalists. The national police provide protection in certain cases, but most people who have been threatened have private protection. In Madrid ten people have a national police escort. According to Jaime Mayor Oreja, interior minister, it is impossible to protect all threatened people. The Basque authorities have set up a global and individual protection plan supported by all the media.
Measures adopted by the media Several national media have offices and staff in Basque country.
According to RSF estimates, over one hundred journalists have some sort of protection. This includes the fifty or so journalists protected by police in Basque Country and elsewhere, as well as all those who use private security services. Even EH-HB has called for the general situation to be defused, and would like true dialogue. RSF's conclusions and recommendations The working conditions of journalists in Basque Country, subjected to threats from ETA and its supporters, have become unbearable and the same applies to many other members of the profession in the rest of Spain. Self-censorship, inhibition, silence and exile are all tempting for journalists who fear they may be victims of terrorism or of direct attacks.