Raul Peñaranda

Denouncing Democratic Setbacks in Bolivia through Online Alerts and Independent Reporting

Mr. Raul Peñaranda is a prominent journalist, author, and advocate for freedom of expression and freedom of the press in Bolivia. He currently serves as managing editor at the Bolivian news agency Agencia de Noticias Fides and as columnist of Página Siete, a daily newspaper that he founded in 2010. His most recent book, Control Remoto (Remote Control, 2014), denounces the mechanisms used by the Bolivian government to infringe on democratic liberties and to control and co-opt independent media outlets. In recognition of his journalistic work and his promotion of freedom of expression, Mr. Peñaranda received Columbia University’s Cabot Award in 2015, the United Nations’ Elizabeth Neuffer Medal (bestowed by former Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon) in 2012, and Harvard University’s Nieman Fellowship in 2008. During his fellowship at NED, Mr. Penaranda plans to lay the foundations for a website dedicated to the promotion and protection of freedom of expression, access to information, and democracy in Bolivia.