The 35th edition of the Reynaldo Matiz Trujillo Journalism Award took place last night in Neiva, organized by the Municipal Council, attended by local authorities and regional journalists. The event honored outstanding works in digital and television categories, and awarded a lifetime achievement honor. Local figures emphasized the ethical role of journalism in the region.
The gala for the Reynaldo Matiz Trujillo Journalism Award, in its 35th edition, unfolded last night in Neiva, organized by the Municipal Council. The event brought together civil, military, and police authorities, as well as regional journalists, and was enlivened by live music that accompanied the opening and proceedings.
Neiva's mayor, German Casagua, spoke on the influence of new technologies and artificial intelligence in journalism. "New technologies and artificial intelligence are tools that, when well leveraged, expand investigations, audiences, and improve content quality, but nothing replaces the judgment, social sensitivity, and ethical responsibility of the informant," he noted. He added that "the media have the task of informing with rigor, but also the opportunity to strengthen our region's sense of belonging".
In the categories, Francy Villareal and Diego Fernando Restrepo from Última Hora Huila Oficial won in Digital for their work "Cementerios de cemento en el Huila: anatomía de la ineficiencia y corrupción." Robinson Gutiérrez, director and journalist at AlpaNoticias, was awarded in Television for the investigation "¿Intento de feminicidio?, ¿Siniestro vial?, ¿Lesiones personales?".
The president of the Neiva Municipal Council, Dagoberto Gómez, recalled the figure of freethinker Reynaldo Matiz, who defended truth and the vulnerable. "Dear journalists, continue to be the word that questions, the fact that clarifies, and the story that inspires. Neiva needs you brave and rigorous," he stated.
The Lifetime Achievement award went to veteran journalist Miguel Perdomo Lince, columnist for Diario LA NACIÓN. In his speech, he questioned the use of social media as a journalistic source and reflected on the authenticity of new journalists, inviting his family onstage.
