"Mexico: What & Why"
Alejandro Junco
Luncheon on October 6, 2010
11:30 at the Solomon Ortiz Convention Center
Alejandro Junco has made it his life’s work to achieve true freedom of speech in the country of his birth. Born in 1948, in Monterrey, Mexico, he was educated both in Mexico and the United States, obtaining his Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from the University of Texas at Austin in 1969.
In 1973, when he became publisher of the family newspaper in Monterrey, El Norte, Mr. Junco hired one of his former UT journalism professor, Mary Gardner, to train his young reporters in journalistic techniques and ethics.
This initiative was, in time, to change the face of journalism in Mexico.
The newspaper cast aside all the practices that had compromised and muzzled a free press in that country.
The strategy was an outstanding success.
Despite numerous setbacks and increasing danger to his journalists, Alejandro Junco de la Vega and his defiant editorial practices have raised the quality of Mexican journalism and increased public awareness.
El Norte grew from 17 local reporters to more than 400, and the quality of journalism of those new reporters was to not only transform a #2 local newspaper into a #1 national chain of newspapers but would subsequently play a pivotal role in bringing democracy to a nation.
Junco has built one of the most powerful newspaper conglomerates in Latin America, with dailies in Mexico's three largest cities: Mexico City (Reforma) - which today ranks number one among Mexico’s elite readership - Guadalajara (Mural), and Monterrey (El Norte).
Aside from his accomplishments in establishing an independent press, Alejandro Junco has also opened greater access to public information by promoting access laws.
Grupo Reforma, as his seven daily newspaper publishing group is known, has been the most instrumental factor in the evolution of journalism in the country in the last 30 years.
The $5.00 discounted price for early registration of $25 for members and active duty military in uniform, $32.50 for non members, and $18 for students, ends at noon Monday, October 4th. Normal prices are $5 more. The event will take place at 11:30 at the Solomon P. Ortiz International Center 402 Harbor Drive, Corpus Christi, TX 78401. All reservations must be pre-paid. For reservations and/or membership information, call 361.241.2018 or mail your check to World Affairs Council, PO Box 260096, Corpus Christi TX 78426. |
