Jan Martínez Ahrens, editor-in-chief of EL PAÍS: ‘Pluralism and independence are essential to reaching the truth’

The management board of EL PAÍS on Friday approved the appointment of Jan Martínez Ahrens as editor-in-chief of the newspaper, effective immediately. In accordance with the EL PAÍS Newsroom Statute, the new editor’s appointment was submitted yesterday to a consultative vote and approved by more than two-thirds of the editorial staff, almost 70%, before being presented to the board. Martínez Ahrens (Paris, 59) becomes the eighth editor-in-chief of EL PAÍS in the nearly 50-year history of the newspaper.

Martínez Ahrens addressed the editorial staff Friday in a speech in which he summarized his extensive experience working at “all levels” of EL PAÍS, and began with a resounding acknowledgment: “This newspaper is what it is thanks to its editorial staff, the rigor of its journalists, and the conviction here that pluralism and independence are essential to reaching the truth.”

The editor-in-chief of EL PAÍS emphasized the newpaper’s commitment to the Americas and to colleagues who “in many cases work in countries and environments that are extremely hostile to journalism.”

“It’s a region where we are needed because we are a bastion in the defense of human rights and democracy,” he noted. “The commitment to freedoms where they are at risk is one of the essential features of our newspaper, as is generating high-value information that provides our audience with certainty in confusing times.”

The search for truth

Martínez Ahrens expressed his conviction that the company’s financial stability will allow it to strengthen strategic areas and face a present and future in which good journalism is, and will be, more necessary than ever: “In a world shaken by war, misinformation, and clickbait, our task is to offer context, explain, and seek the truth — the truth that many try to bury, but which exists. To achieve it, we must rely on the logic of the profession. Monitor power and distrust official and biased versions. Our weapons are contrasting, pursuing accurate data and key testimony, and speaking with both sides of the conflict. With these, we will always win the competition for audience and subscribers.”

Furthermore, the editor-in-chief clearly laid out the ambition of his project: “We must be leaders.” He did so by emphasizing the newspaper’s hallmarks throughout its nearly five-decade history: “We are a progressive newspaper that supports equality and diversity in all their forms. We are also an independent and plural newspaper.”

Commitment to the Americas

Encouraging the honoring of EL PAÍS’ five-decade journalistic heritage and its connection to a demanding audience, Martínez Ahrens summarized his commitment to “respect for readers, for the truth, and for independence.” Finally, before signing off, he wished to address his international colleagues and reiterate that he remains the editor of EL PAÍS in the Americas.

For her part, Pilar Gil, CEO of PRISA Media and EL PAÍS, applauded the editor’s speech, also thanking outgoing editor-in-chief Pepa Bueno for her work over the past four years and her efforts to put subscribers at the center of the news offering. Regarding Martínez Ahrens’ appointment, Gil stated: “It reinforces our commitment to the values of EL PAÍS and its internal talent, and our radical commitment to journalism and independence. Now, finally, under Jan’s leadership, it’s time for people to talk about us for the excellence of our teams and the impact of our publications, for telling citizens the stories that deserve to be told, and the truths that must be uncovered.”

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