The Canary Islands Confederation of Business Owners (CCE) held its traditional 2025 Christmas luncheon amid a climate of media secrecy that has generated unease within the communications sector. This behavior is not accidental: it is carried out at the behest of media outlets that do not want to lose control of the narrative. By inviting only selected traditional media outlets, the CCE seeks an atmosphere of institutional courtesy. Digital media, by their very nature, tend to be more disruptive and less dependent on the social commitments forged at these luncheons. The veto confirms that Ortega's leadership prefers the echo chamber of media outlets that have traditionally been more compliant with corporate power in exchange for advertising stability or exclusive access.
The CC, NC, PP, and PSOE parties have expressed their regret over the measure and will issue a corresponding message urging caution, as they do not want to be beholden to employer secrecy, especially given the presence of their top regional leaders. Sending out a saccharine speech as a press release in the middle of the afternoon without prior invitation for coverage is a classic damage control tactic. By preventing online media from accessing the speech live and forcing them to follow it only on YouTube, the CCE (Confederation of Employers of Catalonia) prevents the analysis of nonverbal cues and the detection of contradictions in real time. This is an admission that Ortega's message cannot withstand the scrutiny of journalism that doesn't simply "copy and paste" official statements.
While in Europe shareholder activism and transparency are forcing employers' associations to be transparent, what happened at this Christmas luncheon makes the CCE look more like a fiefdom than a modern 21st-century organization. In Berlin, an employers' association that selected media outlets based on their format (print vs. digital) would immediately be accused of discrimination and media manipulation.
By Ortega's decision, digital media were barred from the event, with access restricted to a select group of traditional outlets. However, in the mid-afternoon, the organizers sent a press release to all newsrooms containing the content of their president Pedro Ortega's speech; a text filled with sentimental sentiments and well-wishes that contrasted sharply with the complete silence regarding his political and professional future. Ortega has also barred businesspeople with economic capital from the Canary Islands—that is, those with investments in Maspalomas or Mogán.
Despite the optimistic tone of his statement, Ortega avoided addressing the two major questions surrounding his candidacy. Firstly, he did not clarify whether he would push for an amendment to the CCE's bylaws to allow him to run for reelection as head of the Las Palmas employers' association. Secondly, he remained silent regarding the growing rumors linking him to the Canary Coalition (CC) as the mayoral candidate for Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
It's worth remembering that Pedro Ortega is no stranger to active politics: he previously served as Minister of Economy and Industry for the Canary Islands Government under the CC party during the 2015-2019 legislature, coinciding with Fernando Clavijo's presidency. This dual role, combining his business background with his potential electoral ambitions, has raised suspicions among members who are calling for greater transparency regarding the organization's direction.
The ban on digital media in the Canary Islands clashes head-on with the trend among business organizations in the rest of Europe. While the islands are closing doors, entities like the BDI in Germany or the MEDEF in France have evolved towards hybrid and open communication models. In Europe, employers' associations understand that their influence depends on transparency. In the EU, most events prioritize access to native digital media, considered key for the efficient dissemination of information to EU institutions. In the Canary Islands, the CCE's model seems stuck in controlling the message through post-event press releases, a practice that hinders fact-checking and direct questions on sensitive issues such as the CCE's statutory reform or the necessary political neutrality of its leaders.
