Farewell Address Pierre Manigault

We have stood with journalists facing intimidation, censorship, violence, and exile. We have engaged authorities and international institutions, insisting that attacks on journalists concern everyone, not only the newsroom.

We have also built for the future. Through SIPConnect, our work on artificial intelligence, and programs supporting media transformation, we have reaffirmed that defending journalism means protecting both its freedom and its future.

Independent journalism needs not only the freedom to report without fear, but also the means to serve communities with credibility and ambition. We believe this captures the key message of José Antonio de Brigard’s remarks: A society that stops funding reliable information ultimately pays a much higher price: not knowing what to believe. And when a society can no longer distinguish truth from lies, it is not only information that is at risk. Its freedom is at risk.

I am especially encouraged by the prospect of welcoming new members and younger generations of journalists and media leaders. Our history gives us authority; our openness to new ideas will give us lasting relevance.

Before I leave this role, I want to recognize the people who have made our work possible. My sincere thanks to Gabriela Vivanco, president of the Executive Committee, for her wisdom, partnership, and steady leadership; to my fellow members of the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors for their trust and counsel; and to the chairs and members of our committees and subcommittees. You give this association its reach, its expertise, and its strength. Our progress is the result of your collective commitment.

I also wish to thank the public authorities and distinguished guests who have joined us in Bogotá and engaged in the conversations that matter to our democracies. Dialogue is most valuable when it is grounded in a shared respect for freedom of expression and the public's right to know.

To our Colombian hosts, I offer special gratitude. El Tiempo and RCN, together with the entire host committee, have welcomed us with extraordinary generosity and professionalism. You have made Bogotá a fitting home for this assembly, and you have reminded us how much our association depends on the energy and dedication of its members in every country.

To our executive director, Carlos Lauría, thank you for your judgment, persistence, and tireless work on behalf of the IAPA. And to our entire staff: Paola Dirube, Martha Estrada, Horacio Ruiz, Mariana Belloso, Julieta Long, Ana María Pérez y Melba Jiménez. So much of what we accomplish rests on your professionalism, often far from the spotlight. You turn our principles into action every day. Please know how deeply your work is valued.

This gathering also brings a moment of remembrance. We honor Juan Pablo Illanes, whose decades of service to the IAPA embodied integrity, generosity, sound judgment, and a profound sense of duty. He helped build the institutional strength on which we rely today. We remember him with affection and gratitude, and we carry his example forward.

I am deeply grateful to my family and friends for their patience, encouragement, and unwavering support throughout this year.

Today I pass on the presidency with optimism. Leadership changes; our purpose does not. The IAPA will continue to welcome new energy and new generations, while defending a principle that transcends every administration: free journalism is indispensable to a free society.

Thank you for the privilege of serving. It has been an honor to stand with you. And I look forward to continuing this work—together.