The gathering brings together media representatives from the Americas and Spain to discuss press freedom, artificial intelligence, sustainability and the challenges facing the industry.
Bogotá, Colombia (October 22, 2026) — The Inter American Press Association (IAPA) today opened its 82nd General Assembly with a call from its president, Pierre Manigault, to strengthen cooperation among media organizations and defend independent journalism against political, economic and technological pressures.
“The erosion of press freedom is not limited to countries with fragile institutions. Even established democracies are showing troubling signs of regression," Manigault warned. In his remarks, he expressed concern about violence against journalists, restrictions on access to information and the use of legal action to intimidate the press.
The IAPA president also highlighted the importance of economic sustainability and a coordinated response to the challenges posed by artificial intelligence. “Fragmentation diminishes our influence. Cooperation gives us the reach to act,” he said.
The opening session also featured Andrés Mompotes, general director of El Tiempo, and José Antonio de Brigard, president of RCN, representing the media organizations hosting the gathering.
Andrés Mompotes urged attendees to listen and reflect on the challenges facing journalism and the threats to press freedom across the Americas. “Good journalism knows how to listen. It can hear the shifting winds of history, the outcry of victims of abuses of power and the whispers of people demanding the truth,” he said.
Mompotes noted that this is the third IAPA General Assembly to be held in Bogotá and the first in this century. He thanked the organizers, sponsors and partners whose work made the gathering possible.
Meanwhile, José Antonio de Brigard, president of RCN, emphasized the role of professional journalism in combating disinformation and declining public trust. “The true value of journalism lies not simply in reporting first, but in verifying, cross-checking and taking responsibility for what is published,” he said.
He also underscored the importance of ensuring that citizens can make decisions based on reliable information. “A society that cannot agree on the facts will find it difficult to agree on its future,” he said.
Through October 25, the General Assembly brings together editors, news directors, journalists and media executives to discuss press freedom, innovation, intellectual property and audience engagement.
Full speech by Pierre Manigault, IAPA president
