SpainMedia Launches Its Hall of Fame With a Tribute to La Vanguardia's Javier Godo
SpainMedia unveiled the first edition of its Hall of Fame at Forbes House on October 20, with Javier Godo, Count of Godo and editor of La Vanguardia, as its first honoree after 55 years leading the Catalan newspaper.
SpainMedia unveiled the first edition of its Hall of Fame, named the Pabellon de los Ilustres, on October 20 at an event held at Forbes House in partnership with the fashion brand Mango. The evening also marked SpainMedia's twentieth anniversary, with the award presented by Andres Rodriguez, president of SpainMedia and editor of Forbes España.
The first honoree was Javier Godo, Count of Godo and editor of La Vanguardia, who has led the Catalan newspaper for 55 years. Godo is the fourth generation of his family to run the media group, becoming manager in 1970 and editor in 1983, before taking over the paper following his father's death in 1987. La Vanguardia, founded 145 years ago, is a landmark of Catalan journalism with reach across Spain and Europe.
Highlights of his career include the newspaper's 1989 redesign, his support for Barcelona's bid to host the 1992 Olympics, and the creation of the prestigious tennis tournament that bears his family name. Godo is also known for drawing talent into the newsroom while preserving the paper's editorial independence and pluralism. During the event, he said that truth is not negotiated, but sought, investigated and communicated.
The formal tribute, delivered by Gregorio Marañon, president of the Teatro Real, brought together figures including Congress president Francina Armengol, Repsol president Antonio Brufau, and personalities such as Carmen Calvo, Susanna Griso and Alberto Ruiz-Gallardon, among other attendees. SpainMedia's Hall of Fame was created to recognize people whose professional careers have driven Spain's economic, social and cultural progress.
