Five Brave Latin American Journalists Share Their Stories in Berlin
Five brave journalists from Latin America will share their experiences at a professional event in Berlin on November 3, 2025. These professionals, hailing from Ecuador, Venezuela, Guatemala, and Mexico, have risked their lives to report on corruption, organized crime, and human rights abuses. The event, hosted by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the Panter Foundation, will feature Leonardo Gómez Ponce and Heriberto Paredes Coronel, who will join the Respite Care Fellowship in 2025.
The Respite Care Fellowship offers threatened media professionals a chance to spend a few months in Berlin, recharging and regaining strength. Ronna Rísquez Sánchez, a Venezuelan journalist, and Vania Pigeonutt, a Mexican journalist living in exile in Berlin, will be featured guests at the event. The fellowship is a lifeline for journalists facing severe challenges, including intimidation, threats, and violence, especially when reporting on sensitive topics such as corruption, organized crime, and human rights violations. Luis Assardo, a journalist and researcher from Guatemala and a 2020/21 fellowship alumnus, now trains other fellows in digital security.
The event will be held in Spanish and German, with simultaneous interpretation provided, ensuring accessibility for all attendees.
The event on November 3, 2025, will shine a light on the courageous work of Latin American journalists and the importance of initiatives like the Respite Care Fellowship. By providing a safe space for these professionals to recover and continue their vital work, RSF and the Panter Foundation are helping to safeguard press freedom and support democracy in the region.
