“His legacy is a free newspaper, an independent newspaper”

 

It is with sadness that the European Journalism Centre reports the death of Portuguese journalist, EJC Advisory Counselor and friend, Mario Bettencourt Resendes, who died on Monday 2 August, 2010 in hospital in Lisbon at the age of 58.

A renowned political commentator, both on television and radio, he is perhaps best remembered in his role as Director of the newspaper Diario de Noticias [Daily News], a position he held from 1992 to 2003.

Born in 1952 in Ponta Delgada, Mario Resendes began his career in journalism in 1975, following his involvement in the April 25 Portuguese revolution for democracy in 1974.

After a journalism internship with Diario de Noticias in 1975, he joined the founding team of the anti-Gonçalves daily New Journal. He also briefly worked for weekly magazine Choice, before returning to work for Diario de Noticias in 1976. He became its Director in 1992, witnessing the newspaper’s purchase by Portuguese integrated media corporation Lusomundo.

In addition to his journalism career, Mario Resendes was a prominent political analyst and a Professor in Political Science at San Diego State University, as well as a spokesman for the Information and Freedom Movement.

He assumed the vice presidency of the European Directive Committee of the Association of European Journalists, the presidency of the General Assembly of the Portuguese section and in 1994 was appointed by the European Commission to serve on the Advisory Board of Users.

A much valued board member and counselor of the European Journalism Centre, he was awarded the European Prize for Journalism by the Association of European Journalists in 1993.

Tribute from Portuguese EJC colleague, Alexandra Lobao

“His name was synonymous with Diário de Notícias” – From the left to the right of the Portuguese political spectrum, everyone subscribes this remark by the current director of Mario’s newspaper.

Mario had an unusually colorful coffin: by his own request, it was covered by three flags - the flag of his beloved newspaper (DN), the flag of the Azores Islands where he was born, and that of Benfica football club. He used to say it was out of the question to die before Benfica once again became champions of the Portuguese league. They did so, last year.

In recent times Mario was the only DN director who managed to put the newspaper at the top of the most read daily publications list. He led it through the difficult 1990s, the years of privatisation, demonstrating his negotiating ability and deep social conscience, as he tried his best to prevent people from being fired and working conditions from deteriorating. Once he left the top position, DN was bypassed by competitors.

As a reporter, he started working during the unstable year of 1975, a couple months after his country’s democratic revolution that put an end to the era of dictator Salazar. He also covered from Madrid, Spain’s liberation from the other Iberian dictator, Franco. He is known to have thought independently, “by his own head”, but never hid his preference for the Portuguese socialist party (social democrat).

“Wise”, “competent” (he was one of the few Portuguese journalists ever invited to attend the Davos economic forum; he interviewed some of world’s most powerful leaders) “patient”, “lucid”, “balanced”, “cheerful”, “generous and smiling”, “intelligent”, “honest”, “a man of culture and intellectual curiosity”  –  superlative adjectives keep on being repeated on the Portuguese news both by Mario’s many friends and numerous bloggers and politicians as well.

Some thoughts from EJC colleagues and friends

We remember him for his wisdom, his loyalty to the EJC and, not least, for his cheerful and optimistic nature, also in the face of his illness.  
Ove Joanson, EJC Chairman

Really sad news. Mario was an extraordinary person and journalist. Diario de Noticias said, “His legacy is a free newspaper, an independent newspaper”. Can’t imagine anything better to say about a journalist.
Vicent Partal, EJC Vice-Chairman

I am extremely sad to hear this. Mario was a great journalist and friend who was both warm and wise. We will miss him greatly.
Jonathan Fenby, EJC Counselor

What sad news. Mario was one of those people who had the gift of making others feel better about themselves. And his contributions to meetings were thoughtful and well argued. I shall miss his cheerful presence.
Kieran Fagan, EJC Counselor

I am shocked and very sad. Mario has become a real friend since I met him for the first time. Mario was a defender of the freedom of the press and a convinced European who was very engaged in bringing journalists and publishers in Europe together.
Mercedes Riederer, EJC Counselor

Posted on August 9, 2010 by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
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