Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro presents teleSUR with a special award celebrating two decades of committed journalism defending truth, regional integration, and the sovereignty of the Global South.

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In a solemn ceremony at the Miraflores Palace, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro awarded teleSUR a special recognition for its 20 years of unwavering dedication to truthful reporting and amplifying the voices of the peoples of the Global South.

Founded in 2005 under the visionary leadership of Hugo Chávez, teleSUR has grown into a multi-platform media powerhouse committed to breaking the chains of imperialist narratives and fostering regional integration.

Patricia Villegas, president of teleSUR, accepted the award on behalf of the entire team, reaffirming the outlet’s mission to defend truth and build alternative narratives that challenge hegemonic media discourse.

“This recognition inspires us to continue our work as a bastion of critical journalism, committed to social processes and the sovereignty of Latin America and the Global South,” Villegas declared.

#ENFOTO | teleSUR recibe el premio especial por su destacada trayectoria de 20 años informando y siendo la voz de los pueblos del Sur pic.twitter.com/LjDFwkFhqi

— teleSUR TV (@teleSURtv) June 27, 2025

The text reads: INPHOTO | teleSUR receives the special award for its outstanding 20-year career reporting and being the voice of the peoples of the South

TeleSUR’s programming remains focused on information sovereignty, regional unity, and amplifying the struggles and achievements of marginalized communities. Its role as a counterweight to corporate media has made it an essential platform for emancipatory journalism.

The award ceremony was part of the broader celebration of National Journalist Day, where over 20 distinctions of the 2025 Simón Bolívar National Journalism Award were presented. The jury reviewed 377 submissions, with the highest honor awarded to journalist Helena Salcedo for her outstanding work.

President Maduro also paid tribute to journalists who lost their lives defending the truth, notably honoring Nima Rajabpour and Masoumeh Azim of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting Corporation (IRIB), victims of an Israeli airstrike in Tehran. A poignant video commemorated their courage and dedication.

A Special Award was granted to His Excellency Ali Chegini, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran, who expressed heartfelt gratitude on behalf of his compatriots. The recognition underscores the shared struggle against imperialism and the vital role of truthful media in resisting oppression.

This ceremony not only celebrated teleSUR’s two decades of service but also reaffirmed the commitment of progressive media to press freedom, memory, and the relentless pursuit of justice in the face of adversity.

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