The journalist and writer Fernando Ónega has passed away this Tuesday in Madrid at 78 years old after a long and prolific career that began during the Transition, as author of the speeches of the former President of the Government, Adolfo Suárez.
Father of the also journalists Cristina and Sonsoles, Fernando Ónega began his career in 1977 when he was appointed director of Press and spokesperson for the Presidency of the Government in Suárez's first Executive. From there the former president's historic phrase "I can promise and I promise" was born.
After leaving Moncloa, in 1979 he joined Cadena SER, where he made political commentaries on Hora 25 and was appointed news director in February 1981, at a particularly delicate moment that included the attempted coup d'état. Later he assumed the direction of News for COPE between 1986 and 1990.
However, his longest period was developed at Onda Cero, a network of which he was general director in two stages, between 1992 and 1993 and between July 2000 and January 2002. In addition to his executive responsibilities, he maintained a constant presence for years as a political commentator.
In RTVE he directed the programs Siete días and Revista de Prensa, in addition to serving as director of External Relations for the network. In 1993 he joined Telecinco, where he presented different editions of the news programs. In 1997 he signed with Antena 3, where until 1999 he directed Antena 3 Noticias in its night edition.
In print media, he directed the newspaper Diario Ya between 1985 and 1986 and collaborated as a columnist for national and regional media, including La Vanguardia, La Voz de Galicia and El Progreso de Lugo. Since February 2019, he presided over the digital newspaper 65ymás.com, aimed at the senior public, where he continued to work as a columnist.
He is the author of the books The Thermometer of Life (2004), I Can Promise and I Promise (2013), Juan Carlos I. The Man Who Could Reign (2015) and What Has Happened to Us, Spain (2017). Ónega received numerous awards: Ondas Awards, Golden Antenna, Castelao Medal, Golden Microphone, Diego Bernal Award and the APM Award of Honor.
