Annual Meeting Hosted by Catholic University in Buenos Aires
Annual Meeting Hosted by Catholic University in Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires (May 27, 2025) – The Inter American Press Association (IAPA) celebrated the opening of the 13th Annual Meeting of Journalism Programs Accredited by the Latin American Council for Journalism and Communication Education Accreditation (CLAEP), held at the Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina (UCA) in Buenos Aires, marking its 25th anniversary. The inaugural session brought together IAPA authorities, academics, journalists, editors, and students to reflect on the present and future of journalism in Latin America.
During the opening remarks, Carlos Jornet, Second Vice President of the IAPA and Editorial Director of La Voz del Interior (Córdoba, Argentina), recalled how academia pioneered the digital transformation of journalism, citing that the world’s first online news site was developed by a journalism faculty in 1993.
Jornet also highlighted the pivotal role of the 1995 Cantigny Conference in Illinois, promoted by the IAPA, as the birthplace of CLAEP and the alliance between the media and universities. “If both sides do not act accordingly, we will be contributing to journalism’s irrelevance and the expansion of news deserts,” he warned.
Jornet emphasized that, amid a media ecosystem disrupted by social networks, information chaos, and generative artificial intelligence, journalists and editors remain essential as guarantors of verified information and meaningful public debate. “From both academia and newsrooms, we must ensure sound training not only in technical tools but also in values—so we can pursue the truth and strengthen democratic institutions,” he stated.
Norberto Frigerio, Director of Institutional Relations at La Nación and President of CLAEP, praised the efforts of universities to adapt to the profound transformation of journalism and called for a renewed commitment to ethical and critical education that shapes professionals who serve the public.
The host, Hernán Capiello, Director of the Department of Communication and Journalism at UCA and journalist at La Nación, stressed: “We cannot celebrate without acknowledging that we are living through dangerous times for freedom of expression.” Capiello urged a redoubling of efforts in quality education, committed to truth and democracy, in the face of growing attacks on journalists from political power, particularly on social media.
A highlight of the day was the panel on CLAEP’s legacy, reviewing key milestones since its founding, academic accreditation achievements in over a dozen countries, and the impact on generations of journalists committed to ethics, innovation, and press freedom. The panel featured prominent CLAEP figures such as Alicia Casermeiro de Pereson, former Vice President and founder; Susana Mitchell, former Executive Director, and Juan David Bernal, current Executive Director, who shared memories, challenges, and lessons from 25 years of promoting academic excellence in Latin American journalism. The panel was moderated by IAPA Executive Director Carlos Lauría.
Also present was the former president of the SIP (1994-1995), Raúl Kraiselburd, who was one of the founders of CLAEP and served as its president from 2000 to 2009.
Monday’s program also included the premiere of a commemorative video marking CLAEP’s 25th anniversary. The video recalls how CLAEP was born “to change the rules of the game,” setting rigorous and lasting standards for journalism education in Latin America. As one participant put it: “CLAEP is a story of shared conviction, a commitment to quality, and resilience in times of uncertainty.”
The day concluded with a keynote by Juan Luis Sánchez, co-founder and Deputy Director of eldiario.es (Spain), who reflected on how to reinvent journalism without losing its essence, in conversation with Hernán Cappiello.
Later, José Del Rio, Content Director at La Nación, discussed the challenges of innovating without sacrificing purpose, moderated by Gabriela Granata. Journalist Florencia Pulla, El Cronista, explored strategies for impactful storytelling, joined by Soledad Arréguez Mazzocco.
In the afternoon, a data journalism panel brought together Bianca Pallaro, The New York Times; Florencia Coelho, La Nación, and Ignacio Ferreiro, Chequeado, moderated by Martín Duré. The day concluded with a presentation by Álvaro Liuzzi, consultant at Telecom Argentina’s Redacciones5g, who discussed the rise of artificial intelligence in media and culture.
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.