Jan Martínez Ahrens, the director of EL PAÍS, expressed his optimism about the current state of journalism during his conversation at the XXVII Huesca Journalism Congress. He highlighted that having a loyal reader base is more valuable than merely accumulating clicks and that the relationship between audiences and subscription is a crucial part of advancing quality journalism. Ahrens noted that the shift towards valuing dedicated readers is essential for reinvesting in journalism and enhancing the overall quality of reporting.

During the discussion with Ignacio Escolar, the founder and director of eldiario.es, both leaders reflected on the challenges the news sector has faced amid digital transformation. They discussed how their respective organizations have adapted and thrived by focusing on subscription models rather than chasing fleeting online traffic. Ahrens pointed out that readership has evolved, and the market is seeing an increase in quality subscribers, which presents opportunities for sustainable growth in their news outlets.

The conversation not only underscored the importance of adapting business models in journalism but also portrayed an optimistic outlook for the future of the industry in Spain. With EL PAÍS leading in subscriptions with over 450,000 readers and eldiario.es successfully attracting more than 105,000 paid members, their dialogue serves as a testament to the resilience and potential of quality journalism in the digital age.