Journalist Omaya Sosa Pascual, co-founder of the Centro de Periodismo Investigativo (CPI), received the Maria Moors Cabot Award from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism last night, becoming the first journalist born in Puerto Rico to receive the distinction in its 87-year history and one of the few honorees from the Caribbean.

“It is a great honor for me to be here to receive this prestigious award, given by such distinguished members of the jury, and held before me by journalists I admire so much,” Sosa Pascual said in her acceptance speech during the ceremony, held at The Italian Academy at Columbia University in New York City.

She dedicated the recognition to her colleagues at the CPI and to Caribbean journalists who, despite limited resources, produce high-caliber investigative reporting.

“I see this prize as a recognition of the quality of the work of all these journalists and of the news organization I represent: Centro de Periodismo Investigativo. More importantly, as a recognition of the importance of Puerto Rican and Caribbean peoples’ stories and struggles,” Sosa Pascual said in gratitude.

During her speech, she reflected on the personal difficulty of attending the ceremony, given the current context in the United States, amid the systematic violation of human rights of immigrants and of freedom of expression.

“I must confess it was a hard decision for me to come here, to the United States, to New York City, to Columbia University, this week. I was afraid. I am afraid. And I have never been afraid to come to this country that in my lifetime has been at the global forefront of the defense of human rights and freedom of speech,” she said in her remarks.

“It took me a long time to think about this short speech: I would be at one of the best journalism schools in the world and I felt I had to carefully measure each word I would say. That is just not right. It is not the world all of us here tonight want to live in,” Sosa Pascual continued, referring to the genocide in Gaza, the war in Ukraine, the abuse of migrants, and arrests driven by racism.

She emphasized that it is precisely in such moments that journalism becomes most essential.

 “We can not back off, we can not be paralyzed, we can not let fatigue, frustration and sadness overcome us. On the contrary, we need to step it up and keep fighting. We need to keep shedding light on the truth. We need to keep holding power accountable and we must continue to defend the most vulnerable and abused people in our societies,” Sosa Pascual said.

“Today, I renew my commitment before you with all of these goals as my compass. These are the core values of journalism itself. I will keep on fighting for justice and freedom as long as I am able to breathe and I ask you to please do the same,” she concluded.

She was accompanied at the ceremony by her husband, Dr. José Domingo Pagán, as well as CPI Executive Director Carla Minet, Editorial Director Wilma Maldonado Arrigoitía, and Development Manager Annette Ramírez.

Recognition of Caribbean Journalism

The Maria Moors Cabot Award, established in 1938, is the world’s oldest international journalism prize. It honors journalists who have made significant contributions to fostering understanding among the nations of the Americas.

When Sosa Pascual’s selection was announced in July, CPI Executive Director Carla Minet highlighted her impact across the region.

“She has tirelessly advanced investigative journalism and promoted collaborative reporting across the Caribbean, Latin America, and the United States. Her fearless pursuit of truth, her commitment to holding governments accountable, and her dedication to empowering the next generation of journalists set her apart among this year’s honorees,” Minet said when Sosa Pascual’s selection was announced last July.

The jury highlighted Sosa Pascual’s work investigating power in the Caribbean “with limited resources and often on her own,” as well as her role as a model and mentor to other journalists.

Alongside Sosa Pascual, this year’s recipients included Nora Gámez Torres, reporter for the Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald; Isabella Cota, a Mexican journalist focused on corruption and financial crime and a member of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ); and Natalia Viana, investigative journalist and co-founder of Agência Pública in Brazil.

Sosa Pascual’s career includes landmark investigations, such as determining the true death toll after Hurricane María, which was published by the CPI and cited by international media outlets. She is also a member of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists and founder of Es Mental, a digital news outlet dedicated to mental health.

This translation was generated with the assistance of AI and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and clarity.