Presentation of the Chapultepec Grand Prize 2025 to Thomson Reuters Foundation, United Kingdom; Carolina Henriquez-Schmitz, Director of Trust Law at the foundation
Presentation of the Chapultepec Grand Prize 2025 to Thomson Reuters Foundation, United Kingdom; Carolina Henriquez-Schmitz, Director of Trust Law at the foundation
October 17, 2025
Good afternoon, everyone. It is a true honor to be with you today at this 81st General Assembly of the IAPA in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
Among the most remarkable achievements in the history of our institution stands the creation of the Chapultepec Declaration, unveiled in 1994. More than a document, it became a symbol — a beacon that has guided presidents, judges, journalists, and ordinary citizens in the defense of liberty. Its true innovation was to turn the abstract notion of press freedom into a living principle: a shared and ongoing commitment to uphold democracy.
Three decades later, the flame of Chapultepec continues to shine. With the Salta Declaration, we have reaffirmed and updated its principles for the digital age. Still, its essence endures as the cornerstone of our mission: the unwavering belief that democracy cannot exist without freedom of the press.
The Chapultepec Grand Prize stands as the highest distinction granted by the IAPA. More than a recognition, it is a symbol — a tribute to those who have defended, with courage and unwavering conviction, the principles that safeguard our freedom. Among its honorees is a remarkable group of figures and institutions who embody the best of journalism and democracy: the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the legendary Martin Baron, Nobel laureate Mario Vargas Llosa, Catalina Botero, José Miguel Vivanco, and Arthur O. Sulzberger, among others.
It is with great pride that we welcome the Thomson Reuters Foundation into the group of institutions dedicated to fostering openness, inclusion, and tolerance in our societies.
The decision to grant this honor was unanimous among the IAPA’s governing bodies — and rightly so. The Thomson Reuters Foundation has shown an exemplary commitment to freedom of expression and to strengthening journalism across every continent. Through its training programs, digital tools, technical assistance, and, above all, its remarkable pro bono legal initiative, TrustLaw, it has provided a lifeline for journalists and media organizations worldwide, helping shield them from censorship, coercion, and intimidation.
The work of the Thomson Reuters Foundation clearly embodies the principles of Chapultepec in defense of press freedom: to protect journalists, to promote access to information, and to ensure that truth is never silenced.
Therefore, on behalf of the Inter American Press Association, it is a great honor to present the Chapultepec Grand Prize 2025 to the Thomson Reuters Foundation, and to welcome here Carolina Henriquez-Schmitz, Director of Trust Law at the foundation.
This recognition is not only for the Foundation. It is also a reminder for all of us: press freedom is the beacon that keeps democracy alive. To protect, defend, and renew it every day is our common task. And today, with this award, we celebrate those who, like the Thomson Reuters Foundation, keep that flame burning for the entire world.
