Miami (May 26, 2021).- The second edition of the Diploma on Freedom of Expression for journalists offered by the Inter American Press Association (IAPA), in alliance with the Andrés Bello Catholic University (UCAB), from Venezuela, culminated successfully in a virtual graduation ceremony.
The 15-week course offered by UCAB academics ended a few days ago, within the framework of the IAPA's Chapultepec Index project, a barometer that measures the situation of freedom of expression and of the press in the Americas. Forty Latin American journalists have participated and completed the two editions of the diploma. The Chapultepec Index has the generous contribution of Grupo Sura and Fundación Bolívar, from Colombia, as well as Edward and Karen Seaton Foundation, from the United States.
The new graduates joined a network of journalists from the region, to share experiences, challenges and concerns related to guarantees for the exercise of journalism and the surveillance of freedom of the press.
Ricardo Trotti, executive director of the IAPA, indicated that the graduate "not only reaffirms freedom of the press as a journalistic right, but also reinforces the duty of every information professional to enforce it, as a responsibility associated with this profession." Trotti added, "Where there is no freedom of the press, democracy lacks oxygen."
The journalist Diogo Cavazotti, who took the course from Brazil, pointed out that the diploma "gives us the opportunity to try to make changes in our reality and provides us with tools that will accompany us in our professional and personal lives."
Jaiber Núñez, lawyer and instructor, attached to UCAB, said that the diploma allows, "Generating an Inter-American network for the defense of freedom of expression that starts from the deep analysis of the challenges and challenges that are common to all of us throughout the continent."
Both organizations announced that registrations are open for the third edition of the Diploma in Freedom of Expression for Journalists, with a quota for 25 journalists, who will be selected by the IAPA. The diploma course will begin on July 15 and will last for 15 weeks.
Classes are taught in Spanish, through the UCAB virtual training platform. Enter here to register.
IAPA is a non-profit organization dedicated to the defense and promotion of freedom of the press and of expression in the Americas. It is made up of more than 1,300 publications from the western hemisphere; and is based in Miami, Florida, United States.
