Communications and Society Program

The Aspen Institute Forum on the Freedom to Communicate

The Aspen Institute Forum on the Freedom to Communicate, created and convened in association with Grupo Salinas, is an annual forum among leaders of media, government, business, academia and the non-profit sector to address issues surrounding the freedoms of expression and connectivity in the 21st Century. Its aim is to arrive at actionable steps that can enhance the freedoms of communication, particularly in the Western Hemisphere. The inaugural forum of the series was held February 22, 2012 in Mexico City, Mexico. Panelists issues of connectivity, censorship and competition in Mexico, discussing concreate steps that could be taken to protect the free flow of ideas and foster an environment in which freedom, communication and creativity can flourish.

Press Release | Agenda (English) | Agenda (Español) | Caminos de la libertad

Moderators:
Charlie Firestone, Executive Director, Aspen Institute Communications and Society Program
Sergio Sarmiento, Syndicated Columnist, Radio and TV Host, TV Azteca

Introduction to the Aspen Institute Forum
Sergio Sarmiento, Syndicated Columnist, Radio and TV Host, TV Azteca | Walter Isaacson, President and CEO, Aspen Institute | Ricardo Salinas, President and Founder, Grupo Salinas

Panel 1:  Freedom and Connectedness
Joaquín Alvarado, Senior Vice President for Digital Innovation, American Public Media | María Elena Meneses, Professor and Coordinator of the Fellowship in Information Society, Tecnológico de Monterrey | Andrés Roemer, Executive Director, Poder Cívico | Alec Ross, Senior Advisor for Innovation, U.S. Department of State

Roundtable Lunch: "Freedom of Communication in Mexico: Enabling Policies for the Next Administration"
Keynote Speakers: Juan Ludlow, Federal Telecommunications Commission of Mexico (COFETEL) | Reed Hundt, Former Chairman, Federal Communications Commission of the United States (FCC)

Panel 2:  Journalism in the New Media Ecosystem
Fernando Gutiérrez, Chairman, Communication and Digital Arts Department, Tecnológico de Monterrey | Carlos Lauría, Americas Senior Program Coordinator, Committee to Protect Journalists | Monica Lozano, Chief Executive Officer, ImpreMedia | Ray Suarez, Senior Correspondent, PBS NewsHour | Esther Vargas, Journalist and Director of Journalism Classes, Agencia Andina

Panel 3:  The Way Ahead:  An Enabling Environment for the Freedom to Communicate
Federico Reyes Heroles, President, Fundación Este País | Héctor Schamis, Adjunct Professor, Latin American Studies, Georgetown University | Enrique Tamés, Dean of the School of Humanities, Tecnológico de Monterrey

Panel 4: Conclusions and Recommendations

For more information on this Forum, please contact senior project manager Kiahna Williams.

The Aspen Institute Communications and Society Program serves as a non-partisan venue for global leaders and experts to exchange insights on the societal impact of advances in digital technology and network communications. It also creates a multidisciplinary space in the communications policy-making world where veteran and emerging decision-makers can explore new concepts and develop new policy networks. Visit us on the web at www.aspeninstitute.org/c&s and follow on Twitter @aspencs

Grupo Salinas is a group of dynamic, fast-growing and technologically advanced companies, focused on creating shareholder value, and improving society through excellence. By making technology available to all levels of society, Grupo Salinas promotes the development of the countries where it operates.