José Ramón Patterson, Rafael Latorre and Carmen Vela receive the Salvador de Madariaga European Journalism Award
José Ramón Patterson, former diplomatic correspondent for TVE in Brussels, Rafael Latorre, journalist for El Mundo and Onda Cero, and Carmen Vela, former Paris correspondent for Cadena Ser, have received the 27th edition of the Salvador de Madariaga European Journalism Prize.
José Ramón Patterson stood out in the television category for his ability to explain the situation in Europe at a crucial moment for its future. He stressed that the award received "represents recognition of a solid career in news reporting and in the defence of an autonomous and professional RTVE project wherever it has been: from Asturias to Brussels, via Torrespaña".
In the written press, Rafael Latorre stood out for "the quality of his analysis, the brilliance of his opinion pieces and the pro-European values that filter naturally through his columns and reports". The journalist has shown his gratitude and happiness via the social network Twitter: "It is an immense pride for what the prize recognises, the jury that awards it and the colleagues of this and previous editions. Today is a very happy day".
The jury recognised Carmen Vela, in the radio category, for her great journalistic work carried out in the main capitals of the European Union. "In Brussels, Berlin and Paris, her reports have always been marked by rigour and a profound knowledge of the workings of the European institutions and the centres of EU power, always seeking the consequences and implications for Spain, a fundamental aspect of a correspondent's work.
The jury met on 14 April at the headquarters of the Association of European Journalists. Ana Palacio, former Foreign Minister and former MEP, chaired the deliberation of the 27th edition of the Salvador de Madariaga Prize. The committee included important personalities from the social and political spheres and the media, such as Diego Carcedo, president of the Association of European Journalists; Iñigo Alfonso, director of RNE's 'Las mañanas'; Rubén Amón, columnist for El Confidencial; Jorge Bustos, opinion editor of El Mundo; Montserrat Domínguez, deputy editor of El País; Francisco Fonseca, former director of the European Commission's Representation in Spain; among others,
among others.
In addition, as non-voting secretaries were María Andrés, Director of the European Parliament's Information Office in Spain; María Ángeles Benítez, Director of the European Commission's Representation in Spain, and Miguel Ángel Aguilar, Secretary General of the Association of European Journalists.
The award represents the recognition of the Association in the form of a diploma and a financial reward, valued at 12,000 euros. The prize is awarded annually in the different categories of television, written press and radio, organised by the Association of European Journalists, the Representation in Spain of the European Commission and the Madrid Office of the European Parliament.
