In Punta Cana, the 81st General Assembly of the Inter-American Press Association (IAPA) opened with a powerful endorsement of the Dominican Republic’s media climate. Laura Gil, Assistant Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), commended President Luis Abinader and his administration for positioning the country at the top of Latin America in press freedom—an achievement reflected in the latest Reporters Without Borders (RSF) rankings.
Speaking to an audience of editors, journalists, and media executives from across the hemisphere, Gil underscored that the recognition is a testament to the Dominican government’s consistent support for a free, responsible, and plural press. She stressed that both journalism and multilateral institutions are grounded not in power, but in truth, trust, and integrity—values that sustain credibility and public confidence. “Media organizations depend on their credibility before society,” she said, noting that journalism and multilateral cooperation share the mission of building understanding—within countries and between them.
Gil concluded by framing truth and collaboration as practical instruments for democratic progress, not abstract ideals. Her remarks set the tone for a four-day agenda focused on the most pressing issues facing the news industry: safeguarding press freedom, ensuring the long-term sustainability of media organizations, and navigating the disruptive rise of artificial intelligence in the newsroom.
Hosted in Punta Cana, the IAPA’s 81st General Assembly brought together decision-makers and frontline reporters to examine the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of journalism in the Americas—at a moment when the Dominican Republic’s leadership on press freedom stands out across the region.
