Esther Vera, director of ARA, National Communication Award: "Truth and honesty in the practice of journalism matter"

Barcelona"We don't give sermons, we don't give propaganda, we don't do activism, we are not the opposition of one or another. We are an independent organization dedicated to informing. This obliges us to explain the facts as they are, even when they are uncomfortable", said Esther Vera, director of ARA, this evening when she collected the National Communication Award for the press. The jury awarded the prize to Vera "for having contributed decisively to consolidating the newspaper ARA as one of the leading titles in the country". The awards ceremony took place at the Teatre Principal in Sabadell and was hosted by Laura Fa and Lorena Vázquez, who advocated for more women in positions of power and leadership, using Vera's case as an example.

In her acceptance speech, the director of ARA was critical of the role that large technology corporations are playing in the field of communication. "They decide what people see, in what order and with what intensity. They have assumed editorial functions without assuming editorial responsibilities. At the same time, they have weakened the economic model that traditionally sustained journalism and, more importantly, they have fragmented or perhaps even destroyed the shared space of facts, democratic consensus. The temptation is to adapt, to be lighter, more forceful and more emotional, but I think it is a mistake. The value of journalism is to offer criteria, responsibility and rigor to readers willing to pay to be informed", she reflected. In her analysis of the moment journalism is going through, Vera advocated for increasing demands: "Truth and honesty in the exercise of the profession matter".

Born in Badalona in 1967, Esther Vera, a journalist and political scientist specializing in international relations, arrived at ARA ten years ago, after an extensive career in both audiovisual media and the press. As a journalist, she began in radio and later in the international section of Televisió de Catalunya, where she worked as a reporter covering events related to European and North American politics. After working at Catalunya Ràdio (1992-1995), she was a correspondent for the newspaper Avui, first in Paris and then in Washington. From 2000 to 2004 she was associated with TV3 as editor and presenter of the news program Món33, as deputy director of the political debate program Àgora, and later as deputy director of the economic program Valor afegit. Later, she was appointed delegate in Catalonia for the 24-hour news channel CNN+ and for the news programs of the generalist television channel Cuatro.

One of the most notable moments of the night was the presentation of the National Honorary Award, which this year was received by Justo Molinero, promoter of Ràdio Teletaxi. Preceded by El mig amic by Peret, performed by Litus, Molinero displayed humor from the stage and brought his daughter, his successor, onto the stage, for whom he requested an award next year. The President of the Generalitat, Salvador Illa, praised Molinero's spontaneity and authenticity. "You have done integration work that all the presidents of the Generalitat and leaders of the country have recognized," he said, addressing the founder of Ràdio Teletaxi.

Radio and television

The people in charge of collecting the award at RAC1 in the radio category have been three of the most iconic and relevant voices of the station: Jordi Basté, Toni Clapés and Xavi Bundó. "We live in times when communicating seems easier and easier, but what is more complicated is understanding each other. Journalism is essential to order the noise, not to give lessons," noted Basté.

Regarding the television category, the award was collected by the top brass of RTVE Catalunya, led by director Esteve Crespo and Oriol Nolis, director of La 2 Cat. For their part, the president of the CCMA, Rosa Romà, collected the National Communication Award in the digital field for the 3Cat platform. "We have to speak to the Catalonia that is and the Catalonia that will come, and 3Cat wants to be this meeting point," said Romà. In the proximity communication category, the award was given ex aequo to Diari de Sabadell and the program Hospital de proximitat, co-produced by TV Mataró and Xarxa Audiovisual Local (XAL). The National Communication Awards were created in 1999, and are the highest recognition for excellence in the field of communication in Catalonia or in the Catalan language. In his speech, Albert Dalmau, Minister of the Presidency, recalled that when 50 years ago Catalonia regained democracy, it "also regained the need to explain itself", and emphasized the role that the media must play, for example, in the integration of newcomers. "No one fully integrates into a country if they are not recognized in it first," said Dalmau, who cited the work of Justo Molinero and Ràdio Teletaxi as an example. "Communication and journalism have a responsibility for the quality of our coexistence. The awardees this evening are a magnificent example of this responsible journalism," he added.