Night of emotions Encounters Hugs. Tribute to those who are gone, applause and recognition to those who have formed, formed and will be part of the EL MUNDO family. Also looking to the future, to the digital challenge that embarks the whole society. And above all, commitment to journalism, truth and, therefore, democracy and freedom.
This was summed up by King Felipe VI, who attended last night together with Queen Letizia to celebrate the 30th anniversary of this newspaper: THE WORLD stands "as an institution in the media field. But not only for the time elapsed , but essentially for that contribution made in defense of democracy since your foundation in 1989, "summarized Don Felipe.
The commitment to journalism and the defense of the democratic values of EL MUNDO during these years has names and surnames, and some of them have left their lives in it. For that "obligation to the truth", in the words of Francisco Rosell , newspaper director.
One of the most emotional moments of the night was the unanimous memory for Julio Fuentes and Julio Anguita Parrado, who died in Afghanistan in 2001 and in Iraq in 2003, and for José Luis López Lacalle, killed by the terrorist band ETA in 2000. Tribute that was reproduced in the memory that all speakers had to one of the founding fathers of this newspaper, Alfonso de Salas, recently deceased. Next to him, Pedro J. Ramírez, Juan González and Balbino Fraga continue to appear as founders of EL MUNDO on October 23, 1989, a few days before the fall of the Berlin Wall.
In a social, political, economic and media context turned into a path of uncertain tiles, Felipe VI proposed last night his guide to travel it, using the example of THE WORLD: "It has become one of the most influential newspapers in our country, defender of the freedoms and rights of all citizens, especially the right to information and freedom of expression, as essential grounds of any rule of law . "
The media, beyond their status as public or private companies, have a role of responsibility towards society. Because of its notoriety, its importance, its credibility and its influence. "The independent and solvent media constitute an essential element for democracy and the quality of democracy is directly proportional to the quality of journalism. I would still dare to make a third and bold statement: the quality of democracy and the quality of democracy. Journalism are directly proportional to the quality of citizenship, to the quality of individual and collective behavior of our citizens, "said Antonio Fernández-Galiano , president of Editorial Unit , in his speech.
Rosell recalled the important link that links the media with the state of health of a nation: "A critical and independent press is the blood that irrigates and invigorates democracy. Freedom and democracy are depreciated and devalued to the beat that they do the media. When the press fails, democracy - even the nation - is left unguarded. "
This birthday party brought together the most prominent representatives of the world of politics, economy, culture and the media. An appointment that nobody wanted to miss. The acting Vice President of the Government , Carmen Calvo, and four ministers - Pedro Duque, José Guirao, Margarita Robles and Isabel Celaá - attended on behalf of the Executive, along with the president of Congress, Meritxell Batet.
Also attended by the staff of the PP, headed by Pablo Casado, and the governments of the Community and the City Council of the capital, with Isabel Díaz Ayuso and José Luis Martínez-Almeida in front.
October 1st. A date marked on fire in the most recent history of Spain. On such a day as this, three years ago, the PSOE defended Pedro Sánchez as its leader in a Federal Committee. Two years ago, an illegal referendum was held in Catalonia that had been banned by the Constitutional Court. Days in which the journalism advocated by this newspaper became more necessary than ever to show the truth in the face of noise and manipulation, to «get to the bottom of things and unravel what is happening. For example, contributing to unmask lies and false news used with prodigality in political events, ”as Rosell explained. «Our obligation is to strip reality to know what is behind the appearance and look for what our rulers do not say. This is the credibility of a media outlet ».
An idea in which Fernández-Galiano emphasized, placing it as a mainstay of the task to be carried out by the media: «We, from the newspapers, must commit ourselves to tell the truth and citizens must have the firm will to know it, which implies an effort. Because public opinion must be informed, not manipulated, although in a world in which the emotional factor is detrimental to reason, it is difficult to defend and explain the truth ”,
Thirty years. Spain has changed a lot since October 23, 1989. Also journalism, which faces a process of reconversion that tests the strength of the media. The brand and credibility are the best guarantees for a technological challenge that affects everyone. THE WORLD navigates this situation as a leader on the internet, with a hegemonic position established in recent months. A leadership that forces the responsibility of being the benchmark for many not only in Spain, but also in Latin America, with the strength and drive of Spanish as a spearhead.
A sample of the grounds and the reference that constitutes the EL MUNDO brand is that the top leaders of the main communication groups in Spain did not want to miss this tribute appointment.
«That leadership in the Network has a lot to do with the influence of the EL MUNDO brand, with the commitment to quality journalism and with the commitment that the newspaper always had, since its foundation, for being the spearhead of the new journalistic and technological development formats to respond to the digital challenge ”, was the praise of the King to that commitment to the vanguard and the truth.
«We have to continue working on the digital transformation, facing the investments that this entails. This includes the adaptation of the content to the digital support, as well as developing digital formulas for the distribution of the content that allows us to reach our readers in the most efficient way possible, offering content in a segmented way tailored to groups of readers or even, why no, tailored to each reader, ”Fernández-Galiano explained about the keys to success in EL MUNDO.
This birthday, which could not end without the classic toast, was celebrated under the dome of Madrid Hotel Palace and was sponsored by Hyundai, La Caixa, Telefónica, Abertis, Sabadell and Huawei.
According to the criteria of The Trust Project
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- Iraq
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