The Diplomat
EditoRed, the Network of Editors of Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, has just been formed with the aim of tackling the challenges facing journalism, including the defence of the free exercise of the journalistic profession.
The Diplomat in Spain is part of EditoRed, which is constituted through the International Association of Media Editors of the European Union and Latin America, whose inaugural Assembly took place on 11 July.
The creation of EditoRed is the result of an agreement adopted by the last CELAC-EU Editors’ Congress held in Madrid this year, in which the participants committed themselves to develop a permanent and coordinated work, through an organisation that allows sharing experiences, problems and solutions to the challenges faced by journalism.
Since 2012, in Santiago de Chile, the heads of the editorial offices of the most important media in their respective countries in Europe and Latin America have been holding congresses – in Valencia-Spain (2015), in Bogotá-Colombia (2017), in Berlin-Germany (2019) and in Madrid-Spain (2021 and 2023) – to analyse journalistic challenges.
Under the slogan “Journalism that brings us closer”, EditoRed has disseminated a manifesto, which will be sent to the European Commission and the European Parliament, as well as to different institutions working on the relationship between the European Union and Latin America.
The text states that EditoRed will defend the right to freedom of expression, especially for journalists and the media, whether or not they are among its members.
It will also be vigilant in alerting on laws that undermine freedom of expression and in reporting on new legislation to protect it. Members of the network will develop and disseminate journalistic work of intercontinental interest.
They will also share good journalistic practices developed on both sides of the Atlantic and seek to support and facilitate the work of editors, journalists and the media they represent. Training and virtual and face-to-face meetings will also be part of their permanent actions.
The manifesto points out that the other major field of action of the “EditoRed” is the contribution to improving information and understanding between the European Union and Latin America, something that has been a distinctive factor since the first Editors’ Congress.
“The intercontinental contribution is based on an empathetic, respectful and horizontal view among the members of the “EditoRed”, with no room for discrimination or contempt. On the contrary, the “EditoRed” is strengthened by the high value given by the contribution of each of its members, who represent not only the media but also the history and culture of each of their countries.
The “EditoRed” is not constituted to represent the business interests of the media, but those that have to do with the exercise of the journalistic profession; in this area, it will be open to the participation of editors and media companies. It will also maintain lines of dialogue and work with independent journalistic organisations and press freedom organisations.
To achieve its goals, the “EditoRed” will use, in particular, its own digital sites, its mechanisms for direct contact between publishers, periodicals, studies, training and virtual and face-to-face meetings. The Editors’ Congress will be its main space for reflection and action, a meeting that will be held annually from 2024 onwards.
The manifesto concludes: “Before European and Latin American societies, especially, and before the world in general, we make the firm commitment that this journalistic network will be a bridge for understanding between continents, to value their cultural richness, to contribute to the solutions of their problems, to overcome stigmas and prejudices, to spread new topics and new visions, to contribute to the understanding of the complex interconnected world in which we develop, to create bridges to peace”.
After the votes of the members of EditoRed, the first Board of Directors is composed of Jesús González Mateos, as President; Alberto Barciela, as Vice-President; Carlos Mora, as Secretary; and Iary Gómez, Rita Vásquez and Mathieu Bion, as vocals.
