IAPA Speech as incoming president Earl Maucker

Ladies and Gentlemen, family, friends and honored guests: Good afternoon It has been my pleasure to have a role as one of the hosts of this convention and delighted it could be close to home so many of the Sun-Sentinel staff could participate. In a way, having the general assembly here brings me full circle - literally - to why I am standing here today eager to take a leadership role as president of the Inter American Press Association. Today, we begin a journey together to serve the cause of free speech. As we know, there are many challenges ahead. In this new world of choice, many of our readers, listeners and viewers are abandoning us for information sources that do not share our passion to serve the public welfare. We know also from what we've heard this week, that there are governments within our hemisphere that seem determined to undermine the principles of democracy. It is our responsibility - our role - our purpose to put the spotlight on these issues so the public we serve can be fully informed on the threats that face us all. It is somewhat ironic that we meet here in Miami as I assume this presidency - because it is this city - this gateway to Latin America - where I began to truly understand the purpose of our organization and its enormous value and lifeline to the fragile democracies that are so dependent on our influence and leadership. As I thought about this speech, I wanted to find the right words to capture its true spirit. Reflecting back, I remembered how Oscar Arias, president of Costa Rica described what the IAPA meant to Latin America when he addressed our group during a judicial conference last November in Central America. Let me borrow his words: "The Inter American Press Association has been, for more than 60 years, a watchtower where free men and women of Latin America guard the slow progress of civil and political liberties in our region. This institution has, without a doubt, been one of the main factors why Latin America, with all its problems, speaks a different language today. Our region increasingly speaks a language of freedom, rather than repression, of hope rather than fear, of the dignity of all citizens over the absolute power of its rulers, a language of enlightenment, rather than darkness". While his remarks resonate with hope, we are witnessing a deterioration that must be addressed. I would have never imagined that when Bob Fabricio - The Sun¬ Sentinel's foreign editor at the time, urged me to get involved in the IAPA that it would have led me to this podium and to stand before all of you as your new president. I owe Bob a debt of gratitude for insisting that I get involved. He felt strongly that my exposure to the IAPA would dramatically alter my view of the Americas and make me a better editor in the diverse South Florida market. At his urging, I traveled to Venezuela on a mission to meet with government officials regarding our concerns about mandatory unions for journalists. It was on that trip that met Jorge Fascetto who took me under his wing and urged me to get deeply engaged in this organization. That was 1994; I was managing editor of the Sun-Sentinel at that time. I told them if I were to be named editor of the Sun-Sentinel; I promised I would become active in the organization. I got the job as editor and have done my best to hold to my promise. I could have asked for no better role model than Jorge Facetto. He has been a true friend and confidant for the past 13 years. Even this week he tells me what to do. I would be remiss if I didn't mention several others who took a special interest in me and encouraged me to remain active in IAPA. A special thanks to Julio Muñoz and Ricardo Trotti and the entire staff at IAPA. Also a thanks to Aguirre family especially my good friends Alejandro and Maria, Thanks also Scott Schurz, Raul Kraiselburd, Diana Daniels, Oliver Clarke, Juan Luis Correa, Jack Fuller, the entire Garcia family, Andy and Angelica and a special salute to my good friend and fishing buddy, Andres Garcia Lavin whom we will remember in our hearts forever. So many have been supportive, it would take the rest of the evening to thank them all. Let me also take a minute to thank Tribune Company, the McCormick-Tribune Foundation and special thanks to my former publisher Bob Gremillion and current publisher Howard Greenberg for giving me the time and resources to make this commitment for the coming year. I want to take a minute and recognize all my colleagues, key editors, at the Sun-Sentinel who join me today to share the moment. Without them, none of this could happen. A special thanks to my wife, Betsy. Without her constant support and understanding I'm not sure where I'd be. My sister Sally and brother in law Mike are also in the audience and I thank them for being here. During the past dozen years I have traveled to and learned from so many people throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. The initial purpose was to better understand the region and therefore better understand South Florida, which is so heavily influenced by our friends and neighbors to the south. What actually happened was much more profound. My exposure to these countries and the fierce and courageous journalists deepened my resolve to make a difference - to be where I can when I can to help those in need of the resources of our service. It also allowed me to better understand the fragile balances we have in the US and Canada that are not immune to the pressures of government which left unchecked will limit our responsibilities as journalists to serve the public interest. I am honored that you have given me the opportunity to serve this organization and you have my pledge that I will do all that is humanly possible to bring distinction and valor to our pursuit of free speech throughout the Americas. There are several main points I'd like to address as I look to the future of what I would like to accomplish as president of the IAPA. If I were to focus on one area - the major topic of my attention it will be to stand firm on the basics - the very reason of our existence. Freedom of the Press I am committed to make that the hallmark of my presidency as have so many before me. We all know that a free press is the cornerstone of justice and democracy and we live by the belief that society cannot follow democratic principles unless its citizens are free to express themselves, without censorship or fear of retaliation. We in this auditorium have the common purpose to pursue the truth and it is through a free press and open society that we must do so. We will never back down from that ideal. And, we're under enormous challenges - every day there seem to be more. As you all know, and Rafael and this organization have discussed in length, that the media in Venezuela is under attack by its government. Never in our history have we been forced to seek a new venue for our meeting, but after hotels in several cities denied us accommodations - due to government pressure - we now have to seek alternatives. We made an important statement this week that we will not back down. And, during the past six months nine more journalists have been murdered - one right here in the U.S. and two others have disappeared. We cannot let that go unchallenged. The IAPA has been the critical force in saving the lives of journalists, publishers and members of their families. Several veteran members of the IAPA have sought me out over the past year to urge me to make the Freedom of the Press a priority during my tenure. They need not worry. If I have learned nothing else in the last dozen years, I have come to truly appreciate the value of this organization and in that spirit, freedom of the press will get all of my energies, all of my attention all of my efforts. There will be clarity of purpose. But while we can look at the IAPA today and see that it is financially strong, organizationally sound and filled with dedicated, courageous, and passionate members, there are some rough waters ahead. It is for that reason there are a couple of additional issues I will address during the coming year. We need to come to grips with our burgeoning bureaucracy. If allowed to grow undeterred, it could underline our primary purpose. So, I plan to streamline the executive committee and make it more efficient. The good news is that our organization has grown over the past few years. Growth is a wonderful thing and we're all proud of the strides we've made, but with growth bureaucracy can develop and weigh down the good things we've done. To that end, I have trimmed back five committees, which I believe have added unnecessary weight. I know that I have already ruffled some feathers. Let me emphasize that these communities have not been eliminated and we still count on the leadership of those who direct them, but we've redeployed them where we believe they can be more effective. I don't reduce committees lightly because I know everyone who is a committee chair enjoys the role and have every intention for working vigorously for the organization. But we must start somewhere. To that end, I've moved the Investigative Reporting Committee and the Newspaper-in-Education Committee to the Press Institute I've combined the duties of the Finance Committee and Audit Committee believing we now have a proper audit procedure in place with staff and don't require the redundant services and two separate committees within the executive committee.. I have eliminated the Strategic Plan Committee. The plan has been formed, is currently being implemented so it seems to me we don't need a committee to further Shepard it along. I have combined the Membership Committee into one unit rather than four which I believe will serve the institution better and I pledge to take a personal, high profile role in the committee to enhance our membership ranks. As in our tradition I will announce the lineup of our Committee Chairmen: Freedom of the Press will again be led by Gonzalo Marroquin of Guatemala. Gonzalo has done an excellent job and we're delighted he will remain in charge of our Press Freedom efforts. Membership - as I mentioned earlier is also a priority will be headed by Bruce Brugmann of the San Francisco Bay Guardian with additional leadership from Juan Luis Correa of Panama for Latin America and the Caribbean, Andre Jungblut from Brazil and Liza Gross from the The Miami Herald Legal: Armando Gonzalez, San Jose, Costa Rica Awards: Gustavo Mohme, Lima, Peru Future Sites: Jose Santiago Healy, Chula Vista, California Foundations: Edward Seaton, Manhattan, Kansas Program: Enrique Santos, Bogota, Colombia International Affairs, Jorge Canahuati, San Pedro Sula, Honduras Internet, Fabricio Altamirano, San Salvador, El Salvador Finance and Audit: Felipe Edwards, Santiago, Chile and Luis Ferre, San Juan, Puerto Rico Nominations: Rafael Molina, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic Chapultepec: Bartolome Mitre, Buenos Aires, Argentina Impunity: Juan Francisco Ealy Ortiz, Mexico All who have agreed to serve have my heartfelt thanks. There are a number of things we want to accomplish during the next year. Today, I want to announce three initiatives that are underway. I have asked the incoming president of the American Society of Newspaper Editors, Charlotte Hall to join with me and the IAPA on a joint mission next year. Exactly what we will do is undetermined, but both of us pledge to work together for a common cause. Working with the American Society of Newspaper Editors will accomplish two goals. It's a demonstration of unity from like-minded, determined journalists to work toward the noble goal of a free press and open press throughout our hemisphere and it also allows us an opportunity to expose the purpose and determination of the IAPA to U.S. editors who may not be as familiar or aware of our efforts. Which brings me to a second initiative – a major recruiting effort – specially in the United States, Brazil and Canada, where we have seen a significant deterioration of membership. With the help of Bruce Brugmann and members of the membership committee, we will send a delegation of key IAPA officials on a recruiting drive. I hope I can extend this to Canada and Brazil, two countries where we face similar problems. We will take the story of the IAPA to major news organizations, agencies and media companies in an effort to create interest and enrich our ranks with new members eager to help us in our cause. A third initiative I want to talk about today is the possibility of a visit to Cuba. I have spoken to Cuban government officials on several occasions and have another meeting scheduled in January. They have made it clear they have little or no interest in a visit from the IAPA, but we're not willing to give up just yet. To say my requests have been met with little or no enthusiasm would be an understatement. But, what I do have is access - so I intend to keep trying. Many of you may or may not know that my newspaper, the Sun-Sentinel, along with the Chicago Tribune, is the only U.S. newspaper to have a bureau in Cuba. Having a bureau there has afforded me the opportunity to visit the Island on numerous occasions and meet with officials there to develop a dialog. Make no mistake - there is no breakthrough, nor should we expect one. But, we cannot turn away. We must be pro active. We have an obligation to reach out and seek a common understanding knowing that Cuba will be undergoing major changes in the near future. When that happens - and eventually it will - it is better to have begun a discussion on issues of mutual interest and seek common ground. It is our responsibility to nurture the common threats of democracy even when and where it doesn't seem possible. I'll conclude my remarks by again quoting Oscar Arias who put it this way: "It is necessary that you understand that democracy requires more of you: It requires that you also be pluralistic, independent, not only in regard to political power, but conscious of the immense responsibility of building free societies. This is the only way that freedom of the press can achieve its true meaning - when its participants commit themselves to causes that are greater than a free press. Only when we put the prodigious power of the written word, voice and image, to the service of a reconciled humanity." So, once again, let me thank you for giving me this opportunity to serve the organization. This next year should be an interesting and exciting journey. I seek your guidance, your support and your participation along the way. Thank you.