2024-05-07 07:06:37
Quito, Ecuador. A delegation from the Inter-American Press Association (IAPA) spoke this afternoon with the President of the Republic, Daniel Noboa Azin, about the main challenges facing Ecuadorian journalism and the importance of defending freedom of expression and the press, as a bastion for democracy of the country.
In the meeting held from the Carondelet Palace, the Secretary General of Communication of the Presidency, Roberto Izurieta, pointed out that for the New Ecuador it is vital to reaffirm the values and principles of a democratic Ecuador in relation to the work of the Ecuadorian press.
For this reason, President Noboa reiterated his commitment to guarantee that Ecuadorian society is better informed through freedom of expression and the press, by signing the Declaration of Chapultepec and the Declaration of Salta, the latter referring to the principles of freedom of expression in the digital age.
The representative of the IAPA, Roberto Rock, pointed out that during the meeting with the President the main concerns of the journalistic exercise were presented, considering the context of violence that Ecuador is going through.
Among the main topics discussed are: strengthening and operationalizing the mechanism for protecting journalists against the environment that Ecuador is experiencing; analyze the firmer fight against cases of impunity against journalists and media outlets that have arisen in recent years; zero impunity and no repetition in attacks against journalistic work.
After the meeting, the IAPA representative recognized President Noboa’s openness to guarantee freedoms and respect for the press, which distinguishes him from other political actors: “The President said that he seeks to be at the level of a statesman who thinks about the next generation,” he mentioned.
Likewise, he pointed out that, as a counterpart, the media must have clear rules on professional ethics, in writing, that guide how organized crime is covered; that they talk about how working conditions should be improved and that they provide guarantees to journalists to do their work.
The Secretary General of Communication, Roberto Izurieta, mentioned that both the National Government and the IAPA “share the fight to achieve a better society through truthful information.” From the Executive, the concerns raised are shared and the issues discussed are worked on.
This event also included the participation of the executive director of the IAPA, Carlos Lauría; The representative of The New York Times, Michael Greenspon; the president of the IAPA executive committee and director of Diario La Hora, Gabriela Vivanco; the regional vice president for Ecuador and director of El Universo, Carlos Pérez and the former president of the IAPA, Jaime Mantilla.