Madrid's mayor, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, along with Chamberí councillor Jaime González Taboada, unveiled a plaque today in honour of journalist Constantino Mediavilla (1961-2024) at his former home located at 82 Vallehermoso Street. The plaque commemorates him as a “renowned journalist, distinguished figure in Madrid's historiography, and Official Chronicler of the City.”
Mediavilla, who passed away in June 2024 at the age of 63, was appointed Official Chronicler of the City in 2019, a prestigious title awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to the understanding of Madrid through their professional work.
Throughout his extensive career in Madrid journalism, Mediavilla began in the 1980s as a presenter and news writer for Cadena SER. He later directed news programmes for Onda Galicia-Cadena SER, Radio Minuto, and Radio 16, and also worked in the Radio Department of the Madrid City Council. He hosted radio shows such as El Brasero and La Chimenea, and contributed as a columnist and commentator for various media outlets.
In 2000, he founded Madridiario, one of the first digital newspapers dedicated to news about the Community of Madrid, balancing this role with his work as a journalist and city chronicler. Throughout his career, he received numerous accolades, including the Villa de Madrid Mesonero Romanos Journalism Award, the Silver Antenna, and the Gold Antenna. In 2019, he was awarded the Prize for the Specialised Journalist in Madrid by the Press Association of Madrid.
