El País at 50: Director Ahrens reflects on enduring values and global reach

As the director of El País for this significant half-century milestone, Jan Martínez Ahrens reflects on the enduring legacy and future trajectory of a newspaper that has become a cornerstone of Spanish-language journalism.

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Volver a los orígenes del periódico, a una época en la que no estuve y ver, para mi alegría, que hay una coincidencia de valores que se ha mantenido estable en todo este tiempo.

Ahrens emphasizes a profound connection to the newspaper's origins, noting a remarkable consistency in its core values over five decades. While acknowledging the transformative journey from print to digital platforms and the expansion of its audience, he asserts that the foundational commitment to defending democracy, fostering tolerance, championing the less fortunate, and advocating for wealth redistribution remains unshaken. This solid bedrock, he believes, bodes well for the newspaper's continued relevance and success.

His recent experience leading El País's operations in the Americas has reinforced the publication's identity as a truly global newspaper. With multiple editions across the continent, the paper strives to serve a diverse readership, from Monterrey to Buenos Aires, and from Barcelona to San Diego. This global perspective means reporting from where the news happens, prioritizing factual accuracy over preconceived notions.

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Nosotros somos un periódico global; América es la globalidad, y este es un periódico global.

Commenting on Argentina, Ahrens expresses concern over its current political landscape. He identifies the presidency as fostering a climate of animosity and division, a trend he finds deeply troubling given Europe's own historical experiences with such sentiments. This critical observation from a Spanish perspective highlights a concern for democratic health and social cohesion that resonates beyond borders, particularly within the Spanish-speaking world where El País holds significant influence.

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Argentina siempre ha sido fuerte en términos políticos. Ahora está en una época realmente compleja, con una presidencia que representa muchos valores negativos porque, más allá de las medidas económicas, que también pueden ser cuestionables, es un tipo de gobierno que fomenta el odio, el odio al otro, el odio al diferente, el odio al surdo, el odio a todo aquel que no está de acuerdo con sus ideas.