Across thirteen editions of the CSIF Awards in the Valencian Community, Alicante has seen few winners. In earlier years a few names stood out, such as the Elche-born journalist Noa de la Torre in 2011 and Vicente Climent, who joined the Professional Career category in 2021 after moving to Alicante. The pattern was clear: talent from Alicante rarely dominated the stage of these regional journalism honors.
In 2023, held in Valencia, the province finally marked two victories. Cristina de Middel and Javier Iványez emerged as winners, with the ceremony hosted at the Valencia Palace Hotel, drawing attendees from nearby areas. The event underscored the social importance of journalism and the role it plays in public discourse. Rafael Canto, the regional president of CSIF Comunidad Valenciana, welcomed participants and outlined the awards’ purpose, explaining that the jury, comprising more than twenty professional journalists, determines the winners by secret ballot for each category.
The jury featured a notable lineup, including José Luis Torró, Javier Peris, Ferran Belda, Alberto Caparrós, Noa de la Torre, Elías Durán, Maite Fernández, Rosa Rodríguez, Vicente Climent, Bernardo Guzmán, Sylvia Costa, Pedro Muelas, Manu Ríos, Javier Alfonso, María José Serra, Vicente Useros, Toni Jiménez, Isabel Olmos, Rosalía Mayor, Julio Monreal, Inés Ballester, María Jesús Espinosa, and Héctor González. These professionals brought diverse perspectives to the assessment of the work presented by candidates across categories. [Attribution: CSIF Valencia report, 2023].
Christina de Middel, the photojournalist who won in the Professional Career category, connected to the event via video conference from Brazil, highlighting Alicante as her birthplace. She expressed gratitude for the recognition and reflected that her career would continue to unfold with vitality. [Attribution: CSIF Valencia coverage, 2023].
In the Revelation Journalist category, the award went to a journalist from Jijona, Javier Iváñez. In his remarks, he stressed journalist responsibility and warned against information overload and the pressure of racing to publish. He also called for attention to mental health within the demanding field of journalism and thanked the audience for the recognition, praising journalism and Valencia alike. [Attribution: CSIF Valencia coverage, 2023].
Gustavo Clemente, named Journalist of the Year, spoke of an emotional night focused on the future of journalism. He lamented the shrinking room for maneuver in the profession and urged colleagues to hold onto a dream and pursue it with determination. [Attribution: CSIF Valencia coverage, 2023].
During the proceedings, Ruth Merino, spokesperson for the Minister of Finance, Economy and Public Administration, described the ceremony as an emotional gathering and emphasized that politics and communication are inseparable. She noted that information liberates people and that journalism plays a central role in this dynamic. [Attribution: CSIF Valencia coverage, 2023].
Llanos Massó, President of Les Corts, encouraged continued service to the public through professionalism and independence, underscoring that the press remains a foundational pillar of a self-respecting democracy. He also sought to clarify the distinction between information and opinion. [Attribution: CSIF Valencia coverage, 2023].
National CSIF President Miguel Borra closed the event by saying that the awards are earned by journalists, not for journalists, and that citizens rely on the information they provide to judge truth. He highlighted the essential role of journalism in understanding what happens in Spain. The presence of the Health Minister and other officials underscored the wider significance of the gathering. [Attribution: CSIF Valencia coverage, 2023].
There was a candid note about the geography of the Valencian Community’s three provinces. The journey can be lengthy, requiring time, effort, and a degree of economic freedom for travelers. Despite this, the night showcased the dedication of journalists from across the region. Climent and Costa, known for their distinctive zeal, encouraged the idea of rotating future ceremonies to Alicante to honor the region and reduce travel burdens. [Attribution: CSIF Valencia coverage, 2023].
Beyond the trophies, the celebration brought together journalists from all corners of the Community. Their daily work, commitment to truth, and resilience in the face of obstacles stand as the guarantors of democracy and informed citizenship. In a moment when misinformation can mislead the public, the event affirmed the enduring value of responsible reporting. Long live journalism! [Attribution: CSIF Valencia coverage, 2023].