EL UNIVERSAL Journalists Win King of Spain Award for Migrant Death Reportage

Journalists from EL UNIVERSAL have been honored with the prestigious King of Spain International Journalism Award, one of the highest accolades in Ibero-American journalism. Their recognition comes for the impactful investigative report, "Río Bravo, the flow of a thousand dead migrants."

The comprehensive investigation meticulously documented the alarming rise in fatalities among migrants undertaking the perilous journey across the Mexico-U.S. border, with a specific focus on the dangers posed by the Rio Grande River. The report was a collaborative effort by a large team of journalists, including Miriam Ramírez, Silber Meza, Daniela Guazo, and Alejandra Franco, among others.

The jury lauded the report for its exceptional fieldwork, interactive presentation, and compelling visual elements. They highlighted the report's "unbeatable technical quality," "impactful photos," and an "interface that immerses you in the drama," underscoring its effectiveness in conveying the human tragedy.

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Recognized for your work on the lethality of immigration that brings us the heartbreaking echo of a profession that in Mexico dances with life and death at every step.

Miriam Ramírez and Silber Meza accepted the award from King Felipe VI of Spain. During the ceremony, Leandro Lamor Torres, director of the EFE agency which organizes the awards, dedicated a special mention to the EL UNIVERSAL journalists. He described their work on migrant deaths as echoing "the heartbreaking reality of a profession that in Mexico dances with life and death at every step."

Lamor Torres also commended the broader journalistic landscape in Mexico, calling it an "example of resistance and commitment," especially in light of the more than 200 journalists murdered in the past two decades. He contrasted the challenges faced by Mexican journalists with those in Spain, stating, "Compared to this, with your courage, we pale. You are an example of commitment, of resistance, you are an example of freedom."

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In Spain polarization and fake news bring us down in despair and good journalists work against these scourges, but friends, friends from Mexico, compared to this with your courage we pale. You are an example of commitment, of resistance, you are an example of freedom.