"Standing together to defend journalism means defending more than our industry. It means defending democracy, the freedom of our peoples, and the future of generations to come."
Bogota (October 25, 2026) – Carlos Jornet assumed the presidency of the Inter American Press Association (IAPA) today, pledging to strengthen the defense of freedom of expression and freedom of the press, broaden member participation, and promote initiatives that contribute to the sustainability of journalism in the Americas.
In his acceptance speech, delivered during the IAPA’s 82nd General Assembly in Bogota, Jornet, Editorial Director of La Voz del Interior in Córdoba, Argentina, warned of the erosion of democratic institutions, violence against journalists, impunity, and growing economic and technological pressures threatening the survival of independent media.
The new president emphasized that artificial intelligence offers tremendous opportunities for innovation but also poses a critical challenge to the sustainability of the news industry when platforms use copyrighted content without authorization or compensation. He called for a fair framework that reconciles technological development with the preservation of a pluralistic and sustainable information ecosystem.
Jornet outlined four priorities for his administration: reclaiming the value of professional journalism, redoubling efforts to combat violence and impunity, strengthening training for media companies, and rebalancing the information ecosystem through dialogue with major technology platforms.
He also called on IAPA members to strengthen the organization’s presence and representativeness across the continent, expand international partnerships, and encourage greater participation by young executives, women, and digital media outlets. He stressed that defending journalism goes beyond the interests of the industry, as it is essential to democracy, the freedom of the peoples of the Americas, and the future of generations to come.
Jornet succeeds Pierre Manigault, Chairman at Evening Post Publishing Inc., Charleston, South Carolina, as IAPA president.
The IAPA is a non-profit organization dedicated to defending and promoting freedom of the press and expression in the Americas. It comprises more than 1,300 publications from the western hemisphere and is based in Miami, Florida, United States.
