The ethical use of news and the fight against misinformation guided the discussions promoted by ANJ (National Association of Newspapers) during the presentation of the 2025 Press Freedom Award, this Thursday morning (4).
The event had one and 12 other newspapers associated with ANJ with more than a hundred years of existence, for their contribution to the country’s history and democracy. Founded in 1921, the Sheet will be completed in February 2026.
In a panel on “AI and the future of journalism”, the Editorial Director of SheetSérgio Dávila, observed that the professional who knows how to best use the tools will be able to stand out in the market and that it will be necessary to maintain one over them.
“Something that cannot be replaced by artificial intelligence is judgment, which is a human characteristic,” he told those present in the ESPM Tech auditorium, in Vila Mariana, in the south zone of São Paulo, where the event was held.
For the director of Journalism at Grupo Estado, Eurípedes Alcântara, the courage necessary to practice the profession is also a differentiator in relation to technology. “What will not be replaced is editorial courage. Algorithms will not stand up to the Powers when necessary,” he stated.
Dávila highlighted the importance of media education and a careful look at new technologies in 2026, an election year. “You will see campaigns of political opponents inventing videos, phrases, facts about their opponents. It will be up to journalists to discern what is fact and what is AI, and this will become more difficult because of the sophistication of the tools.”
The editorial director of the newspaper O Globo, Alan Gripp, recalled the role played by journalism in combating misinformation during the Covid-19 pandemic and added that the population turns to the press when they need reliable information.
“We are a safe haven in difficult times,” he said. “We also have to have an optimistic view and value the credibility we have built, understanding that this is an asset.”
The panel on AI and journalism was mediated by the executive director of Journalism and Sport at Grupo RBS, Marta Gleich.
The received this year. The non-profit organization works in media education and helps identify misinformation on social media.
“Without media education there will be no critical audience. Without a critical audience that values the work of the press, there will be no quality journalism. Without independent, plural and responsible journalism, democracy does not flourish. Without democracy there is no space for freedom of expression. And without it there is no respect for human rights and there will be no space for the exercise of citizenship”, said Patricia Blanco, president of the institution, upon receiving the award.
Founded in 2010, Palavra Aberta publishes a Sheet and has Judith Brito, superintendent of Grupo Folha, among its advisors.
“At a time when we live with risks, problems and polarization, cancellations, fake news in the digital environment, this work is very important”, said Judith during the award ceremony.
In addition to Sheetthe list of centennial newspapers honored by the ANJ also included the newspapers O Estado de S. Paulo (150 years old), A Tribuna (from Santos, 131 years old), Correio do Povo (from Porto Alegre, 130 years old), Cruzeiro do Sul (from Sorocaba, 122 years old), Jornal do Commercio (from Manaus, 121 years old), ACidade On (from Ribeirão Preto, 120 years old), Monitor Mercantil (from Rio de Janeiro, 113 years old), A Tarde (from Salvador, 113 years old), Gazeta do Povo (from Curitiba, 106 years old), Jornal do Commercio (from Recife, 106 years old), A Notícia (from Joinville, 102 years old) and O Globo (100 years old).
Commemorative plaques were delivered to the vehicles, and ANJ announced that it will make the gesture a recurring practice. In other words, all newspapers associated with the entity that turn one hundred years old will be honored in future ceremonies.
Marcelo Rech, executive president of ANJ, highlighted that it is not common for companies to turn one hundred years old and that, in the case of a newspaper, a century-old life is a sign of credibility and “leverage for the future”.
