El Otro: 2nd Latin American Meeting of Entrepreneurial and Innovative Journalism

More than one hundred journalists in the region participated in El Otro: 2^nd Latin American Meeting of Entrepreneurial and Innovative Journalism, held on July 31 and August 1 in Lima, where international experts shared their experiences in informational projects outside mainstream media, focusing on sustainability issues, business models and financing for such projects.

The event was organized by the Gabriel García Márquez Foundation for the New Ibero-American Journalism (FNPI), CAF-development bank of Latin America- and SembraMedia, with the support of the Peruvian University of Applied Sciences (UPC), John S. Knight Journalism Fellowships (JSK) and the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ), held on the UPC campus.

The keynote speakers were Ricardo Corredor, executive director of FNPI; Victor Rico, secretary-general of CAF; Janine Warner and Mijal Iastrebner, founders of Sembramedia; and Rossana Echeandía, Director of the UPC School of Journalism. According to Ricardo Corredor, there are currently many problems and difficulties in the practice of journalism worldwide, but “the challenge is to make high-quality, rigorous journalism.”

Victor Rico explained that the practice of journalism is challenging because it questions the political and economic power, and the fake news in social media is jeopardizing this fascinating profession. “We are proud to promote forums such as #ElOtro2018 to promote entrepreneurship and innovation in journalism to strengthen democracy.”

During the event, exhibitors included Gumersindo Lafuente, Deputy Director of eldiario.es; Olga Lucía Lozano, entrepreneur in initiatives such as La Silla Vacía and EnModoP; Pedro Doria, founder of the Meio newsletter; and Patricia Torres Burd, Vice President of UBC International (United States), Fabiola Torres, founder and editor of Ojo Público.

Panelists included Patricio Contreras (Chile), Abraham Torres (Mexico), Indhira Suero Acosta (Dominican Republic), Natalie Van Hoozer (USA), Desireé Esquivel from Ciencia del Sur (Paraguay), Elaine Díaz, from Periodismo de Barrio (Cuba), Fabiola Gutierrez from La Pública (Bolivia), Sara Olstad from ICFJ (USA), Pedro Burgos from Impacto (Brazil) and Sebastián Auyanet from Now This en Español (Uruguay), Naimid María Cirelli Asef from Cosecha Roja (Argentina), José Hernández (Puerto Rico), Nilsa Varela (Venezuela), Adriana Peña (Mexico), Julio Muñiz from Inconfundiblemente Latino (Mexico), Ernesto Aroche from Animal Político (Mexico) and Orus Villacorta from Factum (El Salvador); Jordy Melendez (Mexico), Paulette Desormeaux (Chile), as well as Peru’s Mayte Ciriaco from Ojo Público, Piero Che Piu from Fútbol Femenino, Renzo Gómez from Sudor, Natalia Sánchez from Malquerida.

This activity is part of the “Journalism and Development Program,” an initiative promoted by CAF to strengthen the practice of journalism in Latin America and expand the coverage of issues related to regional development and the promotion of the journalistic entrepreneurship through initiatives that promote knowledge on both issues, build capacities among journalists, and foster innovation in professional practice, ultimately contributing to sustainable and useful journalism for the recognition of Latin Americans and their needs, in addition to advancing the development of the region.