Jan Martínez Ahrens, the director of El País, said to the NAHJ Conference Expo on Wednesday that free journalism faces unprecedented threats [1, 2].
The warning comes as media organizations worldwide struggle against political pressure and disinformation. The director's remarks emphasize the role of the press as a critical bulwark against the erosion of democratic institutions in the U.S. and abroad.
Speaking in New Orleans, Martínez Ahrens delivered the opening speech for the conference [1, 2]. He said that the pursuit of truth is not merely a business venture but a civic duty. "No vemos un mercado aquí, sino una responsabilidad," he said [2].
Martínez Ahrens highlighted the specific dangers currently facing reporters who operate in environments where the truth is contested. He said that the current climate is particularly perilous for those attempting to maintain independence, a trend that threatens the stability of free societies [2].
Throughout his address, the director reaffirmed the commitment of El País to democratic values and the rigorous pursuit of factual reporting [1, 2]. He said that the newspaper views its mission as an essential service to the public [1].
"Creemos que el buen periodismo sirve para defender la democracia," Martínez Ahrens said [1].
He concluded by stressing that the survival of a free press is inextricably linked to the survival of democracy itself. "Pocas veces el periodismo libre ha estado tan amenazado," he said [2].
“"Creemos que el buen periodismo sirve para defender la democracia"”
The director's remarks signal a strategic pivot for El País, framing its journalistic output as a defensive tool for democracy rather than a commercial product. By addressing the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ), the publication is aligning itself with a broader international effort to protect minority and multilingual press voices against rising global authoritarianism.
