A cack in the wall of forgetfulness

This week, we received a recognition from NAHJ-Philadelphia; I say “we” because, although it celebrates my more than three decades of reporting, in recent years, I’ve done so hand in hand with a team deeply committed to their work, transcending many kinds of borders.

Thank you to the Impacto production team—Paola, Abraham, Yair, and Eduardo—who, week after week for five years, have kept Impacto close to the people we serve, with responsibility, synergy, and a kind of alchemy.

Thanks also to those who made this recognition possible. I’m not talking about dozens, but hundreds of people who have trusted me to share their complaints, aspirations, achievements, and stories.

The first time I hosted a radio show, I was 19. Since then, I’ve traveled through different latitudes and realities. Every story I’ve told or helped tell has taught me something that has enriched me both personally and professionally—whether it was the story of a high-ranking official, a frightened police officer, a worker fighting for fundamental rights, a mother who lost two children to gun violence, a grandfather desperate to help his children overcome drug addiction, survivors of various forms of violence, or entrepreneurs building with hope. And each time, I continue with the same passion and curiosity. For me, this is not just a job—it’s a mission fueled by patience, that is, joyful resistance. It’s a moment in the construction of a crack in the wall of forgetfulness.

As some of you know, I came to this country from Mexico after receiving threats for publishing credible reports about collusion between the government and organized crime cartels. These past 14 years here—raising my children, yes, as a father, but with God, and practicing journalism, a profession so demanding—have not been easy. But each day brought me closer to the serenity that comes from the certainty that I would one day become a citizen of this country that gives so much but also demands much.

Unfortunately, in recent months, that serenity has begun to fade for the many who dared to believe and put their hope into action, overcoming obstacles to forge a future in the promised land. Today, for millions of immigrants—documented or undocumented—the fear of not being able to continue pursuing the American dream in this land of opportunity is growing. There is also increasing concern about the ability to practice journalism freely and safely. Today, two fundamental pillars of even the most nascent democracy, the rule of law and freedom of expression, are being shaken.

A NATO for news: solidarity in the face of censorship

I know even more challenging times are coming for those of us working from different trenches to defend truth, human rights, and civil liberties. For those of us who value freedom, respect for others’ rights, and democracy (even if it’s a form of government still evolving), it must be defended against any tyrannical alternative.

I hope the gathering of journalists, communicators, and allies on October 13 inspires us to continue working together, defending good journalism that serves noble causes and acts as a megaphone for the most vulnerable. More than ever, it’s necessary to move from report to solution-oriented journalism.

The recent deportation of Salvadoran journalist Mario Guevara from Atlanta, Georgia, is not only a personal tragedy but also a disturbing warning about the state of press freedom and respect for due process in the United States.

Guevara, known for his coverage of immigration raids and an Emmy Award winner, was arrested while reporting on a protest against ICE raids. Despite carrying press credentials and having no criminal record, he was detained for over 100 days, in defiance of a court order authorizing his release on bail. Although he was in the process of obtaining legal residency, he was deported to El Salvador on October 3, without being able to say goodbye to his family.

This case—the first documented instance of a journalist being deported for their work in the U.S.—has been condemned by organizations such as the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the ACLU, and Voto Latino, who have called it an institutional reprisal that undermines the First Amendment of the Constitution.

In a country that prides itself on democracy and freedom of expression, this episode represents a significant setback. Free press cannot coexist with intimidation, censorship, or persecution. Today, more than ever, we must defend the right to report and fight against misinformation.

I have joined Jim Friedlich’s call, who, in an opinion piece published a few months ago, rightly pointed out that “to protect press freedom in the United States, we should consider that ‘an attack on one is an attack on all.’” The executive director of the Lenfest Institute for Journalism wonders whether, with the intensification of attacks on the press, it’s time for a “NATO for news.” Hopefully, more of us will join this cause, because it’s not a cliché to say that unity is strength.