Mexican journalist Martha Ramos, editorial director of Organización Editorial Mexicana (OEM) and David Walmsley, editor-in-chief of The Globe and Mail, in Canada, were elected as president and vice president, respectively, of the World Editors Forum (WEF).
The Council of the World Publishers Forum pointed out that “they will be at the forefront of the world community of editors at a critical moment for journalism”, because let us remember that Mexico is the most dangerous country for the press, according to Reporters Without Borders.
“With extensive experience in newsrooms, a history of entrepreneurial initiatives and a strong commitment to journalism, both agree that this is an important time for editors to come together and support each other in the face of unprecedented challenges,” highlighted WEF.
For Martha Ramos, “the World Editors Forum is a determining voice in defense of freedom of expression, and this is fundamental, since the times we live in are a challenge for journalism.”
Faced with the new challenge as president of the WEF, the journalist assured that she will promote such important issues as the evolution in newsrooms, the inclusion of women in decision-making positions and the safety of reporters in their daily work.
For his part, David Walmsley highlighted that “it is advantageous that writers from all fields come together to share their challenges and their ideals. We have to support each other more than ever.”
Who are Martha Ramos and David Walmsley?
Journalist Marta Ramos Sosa heads the editorial operations of OEM, the largest Mexican print media company and the largest journalistic company in Latin America.
She has been an active member of the WEF board since 2017 and has contributed to the establishment of WAN-IFRA’s Women in News initiative in LatAm.
She is president of the IAPA/SIP Inclusion and Diversity Committee, president of Alianza de Medios Mx, and sits on the board of the Inter-American Press Association.
She was also editor of El Universal, web editor of Publimetro México and editorial director of Diario 24 Horas.
David Walmsley has led the Globe and Mail to win multiple national journalism awards during his nine years as editor. He is the creator of World News Day and co-creator of the Toronto Moral Damage Scale for Journalists; the only psychometric scale in the world to detect moral damage in journalists.
