Madrid (EFE).- Felipe VI highlighted this Thursday the importance of independent journalism, “essential” in today’s world, as has been demonstrated after the latest crises, such as the pandemic and the war due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
In his speech at the award ceremony, in its 40th edition, of the King of Spain International Awards from the Efe Agency, the monarch highlighted the role of the media in democracies and recalled that today is a historic date for Spain, the anniversary of the elections of June 15, 1977.
Some elections that were, the king recalled, “the first democratic elections held during that founding period that was the political Transition, and that are at the base and origin of our Constitution.”
He has pointed out that in the information age, disinformation is something that is increasingly worrying and comes to excessively influence debates, diagnoses, understanding of the facts and decision-making.
For this reason, he said, it is necessary to have a safe and reliable space to obtain verified information in the face of falsehoods that take advantage of social networks and other digital platforms, and he has defended excellent journalism.
Felipe VI has also referred to technological innovations in newsrooms, a new reality that deserves a constructive response, taking into account the risks, but also the great opportunity to address some of the problems journalism faces, such as reaching larger audiences. spacious.
As for the works awarded today, it has highlighted the research work, the mastery in data management and the opportunity of the current issues that are dealt with, such as the defense of the environment, people’s health, the integration social, personal freedom and human rights.
Finally, he has encouraged journalists not to “stop counting, analyzing, explaining and clarifying what is happening to us”, because it is – the king remarked – “a great and laudable service to society”.