Spreading the word: Impersonal "se"
When you want to talk about rumors, celebrity gossip, or unconfirmed news without specifying who is talking, Spanish uses the impersonal se.
The formula is: se + [verb in 3rd person singular] + que + [noun clause].
These are equivalent to English phrases like "It is said that..." Because these statements generally declare a piece of information or state a widespread belief, the verb in the que clause usually remains in the indicative mood.
Gossip in the past tense
The impersonal verb doesn't have to be in the present tense. If you are reporting on yesterday's headlines or older scandals, simply put the impersonal reporting verb into the preterite or imperfect tense (e.g., se rumoreó, se supo, se confirmó).
When to use the subjunctive
Just like any other sentence with a que clause, impersonal statements trigger the subjunctive if the main verb expresses doubt, denial, emotion, or an expectation.
While expressions of reporting or certainty (se sabe, se afirma) take the indicative, verbs like dudar (to doubt) or esperar (to expect/hope) require the subjunctive in the following clause. Notice how this applies even when the impersonal statement is in the past tense, which triggers the past subjunctive.