The president of the Inter-American Press Association (SIP), José Roberto Dutrizwarned of a “period of threats and challenges unprecedented” for the freedom of the press and expression on the continent, by inaugurating this Thursday the 81st General Assembly of the organization, which is held in Punta Cana with the participation of journalists, directors of media and international authorities.
“We live in a panorama marked by the deterioration of the working conditions of journalists, stigmatization speechesthe judicial restrictions and the violence that forces many colleagues into exile,” said Dutriz in his inaugural speech, in which he also thanked the president Luis Abinader for hosting the event in the Dominican Republic.
The owner of the SIP He stressed that the meeting, which will last several days, will address the main challenges of contemporary journalism, such as the sustainability of mediathe impact of the artificial intelligence and the protection of freedom of expression in adverse political contexts.
Dutriz recalled that during the last year the organization has carried out international missions in countries like Guatemala, Panama, Costa RicaPeru and the United States, to accompany journalists and media under pressure.
“These visits allow us to take solidarityraise the voices of those attacked and remind the authorities that the inter-American community will not tolerate abuses against the freedom of the press“he emphasized.
He also denounced the increase in repression and the media closure independent in Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela and El Salvador, which has caused the exile of dozens of journalists.
In this context, he valued the creation of the Latin American Network in Exile (Relpex), an initiative of the SIP to accompany communicators who have been forced to leave their countries due to political persecution.
During the opening ceremony, the deputy secretary general of the Organization of American States (OAS), Laura Gilhighlighted the commitment of the Dominican Republic with the freedom of the pressbeing recognized by Reporters Without Borders as the country with the highest rate of freedom of the press in Latin America in 2025.
“Without free journalism there is no democracy possible,” stated Gil, who also highlighted the recent agreement signed between the OAS and the SIP to promote the gender equalitystrengthen the freedom of expression and fight the disinformation gender.
Crisis in the media
The OAS representative reflected on the crisis that face both media like the multilateral organizationsnoting: “We live in an era that distrusts intermediaries.”
“The press and multilateralism are accused of the same sins: of being slow, bureaucratic and elitist, when in reality they defend something deeply subversive: the TRUEdialogue and accountability,” he said.
Persio Maldonado
For his part, the president of the Host Committee, Persio Maldonadothanked the presence of the international delegates and highlighted the commitment of the country with ethical and responsible journalism.
“We celebrate this meeting at a time when the rise of disinformation makes the role of the committed press with truth, freedom and democracy“said Maldonado, who reiterated the hope that the Dominican Congress will soon approve a new communication law modern and adapted to the digital ecosystem, a project submitted by the Executive Branch.
The 81st General Assembly of the SIP develops in the westin hotel of Punta Cana and brings together leading figures of continental journalism to debate the future of the freedom of the press in America.
