CMIA at the OAS GA2026: Defending Independent Journalism in the Americas

Advisory Board Members of the Center for Media Integrity of the Americas, Dr Pedro Vaca and Patricia Janiot participated in the 55th Regular Session of the OAS General Assembly in Panama, where the importance of free, independent, and sustainable journalism across the Americas took center stage. Ms.Janiot delivered opening remarks, followed by Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression Pedro Vaca and the European Union’s Ambassador to Panama. All speakers emphasized the critical role that independent journalism plays in safeguarding democratic institutions at a time of growing polarization, disinformation, and threats against journalists throughout the region.

Ms. Janiot also participated in a roundtable discussion examining the Special Rapporteur’s latest report on the state of journalism in the Americas. In her remarks, she addressed not only the report’s key findings, but also the important realities and challenges that remain underrepresented in the broader conversation surrounding press freedom and journalist safety. She highlighted the CMIA’s Abiding commitment to supporting high quality journalism as an organization created by Latin American and Caribbean journalists. Ms. Janiot’s remarks also challenged media professionals and respected industry leaders to shape and implement the solutions required so that independent media flourishes, as artificial intelligence and platform consolidation create an ever more “corporate” media landscape.