Grupo Salinas Organizes International Freedom of Expression Forum at Mexico's Universidad Panamericana

Distinguished Panelists Participate from Cuba, Venezuela, Argentina, Mexico, Nicaragua and Ecuador
Grupo Salinas Founder and Chairman Ricardo B. Salinas Pliego Suggests that Freedom of Expression Is One of the Most Important Basic Human Rights

• Press Release
• Source: Grupo Salinas; Caminos de la Libertad
• On 7:45 pm EDT, Thursday October 22, 2009

MEXICO CITY, Oct. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of an ongoing effort to support freedom of expression, Grupo Salinas is proud to announce the international forum "Que perdemos cuando se pierde la libertad de expression? (What do we lose when Freedom of Expression is lost?) held on October 21 at the Universidad Panamericana.

The event brings together top media experts and intellectuals from Cuba, Venezuela, Argentina, Mexico, Nicaragua and Ecuador to discuss the importance of the right to freedom of expression.

"When we lose freedom of expression, we lose the most valuable right that we have. We lose the possibility to analyze and reflect, question, protest, and work to build a better world," said Grupo Salinas Founder and Chairman Ricardo B. Salinas.

The day-long session opened with an introduction by Caminos de la Libertad President Sergio Sarmiento, and included participation by Marcel Granier, president of Venezuela's RCTV; Joyce Higgins de Ginatta, Ecuadorian journalist and president of the Federacion Interamericana Empresarial; Cuban journalist and author Rafael Rojas, Nicaraguan Congressman and freedom of expression expert Rodolfo Silva; and Jose Benegas, Argentine journalist and specialist in media legislation known as the "Ley Kirchner."

The event also included participation by distinguished Mexican media professionals and academics, including: Jesus Silva-Herzog Marquez, ITAM faculty member, TV Azteca analyst and Reforma columnist; Jorge Fernandez Menendez, multi-media journalist with Imagen Radio, Excelsior and Proyecto 40 ; Leo Zuckerman, CIDE faculty and multi-media analyst and journalist with Imagen Radio, Excelsior and Televisa; and Jose Luis Ortiz, Director of the communications faculty of the Universidad Panamericana.

For more information, visit www.caminosdelalibertad.com

About Grupo Salinas

Grupo Salinas (www.gruposalinas.com) is a group of dynamic, fast-growing, and technologically advanced companies focused on creating shareholder value, contributing to build the middle class of the countries where they operate, and improving society through excellence. Created by Mexican entrepreneur Ricardo B. Salinas (www.ricardosalinas.com), Grupo Salinas operates as a management development and decision forum for the top leaders of member companies, TV Azteca (www.irtvazteca.com), Azteca America (www.aztecaamerica.com), Grupo Elektra (www.grupoelektra.com.mx), Banco Azteca (www.bancoazteca.com.mx), Afore Azteca (www.aforeazteca.com.mx), Seguros Azteca (www.segurosazteca.com.mx), and Grupo Iusacell (www.iusacell.com). Each of the Grupo Salinas companies operates independently, with its own management, board of directors and shareholders. Grupo Salinas has no equity holdings. However, member companies share a common vision, values and strategies for achieving rapid growth, superior results and world-class performance.

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