Two decisive events ended up encompassing the reasons why the Day of the Paraguayan Journalist is commemorated every April 26: the first issue of the newspaper El Paraguayo Independiente and the murder of journalist Santiago Leguizamón. One event started the informative path of the country, while the other shook an entire sector to demand greater protection for communicators who expose themselves to actions that threaten the right to freedom of expression. The press is a tool for the fight against corruption and drug trafficking, Luis Bareiro, Óscar Acosta, Enrique Vargas Peña, Santiago González, Mabel Rehnfeldt, are just some of the professionals who have put on the shirt for a better Paraguay for all.
Today, highlighting the constant evolution of journalistic work, the still unguaranteed protection of the free exercise of work and also the overflowing passion that centrally characterizes journalism, referents expose their points of view and experiences of the honored profession.
TRUST IN THE TRADITIONAL
“Journalism changed quite a bit due to the rise of non-traditional media. However, when people want truthfulness and trust, they continue to resort to traditional media because there is a lot of fast information on the networks, but several times without sources or directly unchecked information,” observed the journalist from Telefuturo and Noticias Paraguay (NPY). Patricia Vargas.
As for the free exercise of the profession, the journalist said that one cannot lower one’s guard because every day more politicians and criminals disguised as businessmen (in the case of drug traffickers) are looking for a way to keep quiet. “We must understand that those who give voice to the sectors that denounce are the media through their journalists and that must be protected,” she said.
Given his main motivation in the work of the profession, Vargas highlighted social awareness. “People come desperate to ask you for help because they no longer have an answer in a police station, in the Prosecutor’s Office, in Justice, in the Ministries, in the State itself and their last and only hope feels that it is the press. That is why I am convinced that we have an enormous social responsibility that we must honor », she pointed out.
PROS AND CONS
For ABC Cardinal, ABC FM and Channel 13 journalist Guillermo Domaniczky, in Paraguay we reproduce the same vices and virtues as in the rest of the region. These are characterized by media concentration, political and commercial pressure agendas, but with a framework of freedoms that allows a plurality of information.
“In general, the legal guarantees are established. In fact, we have constitutional protections for the practice of journalism, although as Jefferson said, the price of freedom is eternal vigilance, especially considering our judicial system,” the communicator stressed.
Likewise, for the professional, journalists are public servants and, consequently, information is a social good and not a commodity.
THE COMMUNICATIVE EXTENSION
“The communication field has spread widely and there are few who comply with the basic rules of rigor, equanimity, truthfulness. Paraguay does not escape the international crisis situation generated by information technologies that changed the mode of communication, which severely affects its finances, especially the graphic press,” said Estela Ruíz Díaz, a journalist for Telefuturo, Radio Monumental and Última Hora. .
The professional commented that the legal guarantees to practice journalism do not prevent the existence of violence against journalists who fight against corruption or expose social inequalities. “There are journalists assassinated in full democracy just for carrying out their work. The networks have become the most violent means of attack thanks to anonymity and at this point, women suffer double harassment, in addition to the inherent danger is exposure to sexist violence, ”she sentenced.
Ruíz Díaz declared that journalism is a vocation and has a lot of conviction and personal commitment. With this idea, the communicator pointed out that the profession can change the world and lives through work carried out with ethics and honesty; she also expressed that information is a service to improve humanity.
JOURNALISTIC QUALITY
“The communication level of our country is quite good. Besides, each person has their own style, way of reflecting and thinking. I believe that there are no impediments to expressing what one considers doing at the time”, stated Arturo Rubín, sports journalist for Fútbol a lo Grande, Telefuturo and head of Última Hora Sports.
Regarding his engines to continue with his informative work, the journalist highlighted the dedication and effort, especially the credibility that one can give to the information. This without mentioning the well thought out and analyzed opinion, without any type of censorship or impediment, which the communicator can freely enjoy.
A GREAT FEELING
For the sports journalist of Tigo Sports, Telefuturo and Rock and Pop radio, Rubén Darío Da Rosa, the great current communicational breadth represents an enormous freedom to project journalistic styles and approaches, enriching in a general context. However, especially for the young journalist, lately there is a great demand to carry out different communicative activities: to be prepared for radio, television and even the written press.
“The profession is very enriching because one learns every day, being in contact with the dynamics of information and facts; that makes one feel alive and involved, despite not having influence over the events. I am convinced that journalism is a passion and more than a job, it represents a feeling”, assured Da Rosa.
