Montserrat Minobis i Puntonet
Figueres, October 24, 1942 – Barcelona, May 11, 2019
This May 11th marks five years since the passing of our colleague, friend, and mentor, Montserrat Minobis. As the International Network of Women Journalists and Communicators – International Network of Journalists with a Gender Perspective (XIDPIC.CAT-XIPVG), we wish to remember her by commemorating this date, as well as October 24th—the day of her birth.
For this reason, from May 11 to October 24, 2024, we will be publishing—in this “Espai Montserrat Minobis” section of *La Independent*, with the help of our colleague Fabiola Llanos—the photographs you send us, with the aim of creating a rich collective mosaic that reflects the professional work and activism of those featured.
And on October 24, in collaboration with the Association of Women Journalists of Catalonia (ADPC) and the Association of Journalists of Catalonia (CPC), XIDPIC.CAT is organizing the Montserrat Minobis Conference at the CPC headquarters, located at Rambla de Catalunya, 10, in Barcelona.
"And a trumpet solo in the dark street at the end of the day" Ana Moix in Baladas del dulce Jim. Escorada, the boat at sea. May 2018. Photo provided by Pilar Remirez
Montse Minobis was especially passionate about securing the best for our news agency. You can see her in the middle of the row of colleagues following a meeting to discuss technical improvements for *La Independent*, held on July 8, 2018, at the CPC. Photo by XIDPIC.CAT.
Montse’s European spirit was indefatigable. This visit to the European Union in Brussels by journalists from XIDPIC.CAT on June 29, 2016, served to explore progressive proposals from various feminist organizations—such as making menstrual products free of charge—while also strengthening the relationship with GAMAG-Europe. Photos by XIDPIC.CAT and Tona Gusi.
Minobis Space
Montserrat Minobis i Puntonet (Figueres, October 24, 1942 – Barcelona, May 11, 2019) dedicated much of her time, energy, and enthusiasm to the International Network of Women Journalists and Communicators of Catalonia – International Network of Journalists with a Gender Perspective (XIDPIC.CAT-XIPVG). She served as its president from its informal beginnings in 2005—and from its formal legal establishment in early 2007—until the day of her death. She also served as president of *La Independent* from its launch on September 11, 2010, until her passing. Both projects have flourished and continue to move forward, thanks to the networked communication among women journalists—a practice she valued highly.
Minobis dedicated a great deal of effort to this, and she also received much appreciation in the form of awards and recognition for her work as one of the key leaders of the International Network of Journalists with a Gender Perspective (RIPVG).
Continuing these tributes, the new *La Independent* website features the “Minobis Space,” which encompasses two initiatives she highly valued—among the many milestones she envisioned for *La Independent*—and for which she insisted on having a dedicated, constantly updated section: Alerts regarding journalists persecuted for their work in defense of women’s human rights, particularly in conflict zones; and the practice of calling out—or issuing a warning against—news reports and images that are sexist, misogynistic, or reliant on stereotypes—a “Red Card” that must be signaled immediately.
En el recuerdo de Montserrat Minobis, tenemos ahora una herramienta de sororidad entre mujeres periodistas y comunicadoras y otra para mejorar la profesión periodística contribuyendo a hacerla haciéndola más democrática y justa.
Montserrat Minobis' website
(realizada por colegas de Figueres y Familiares)
https://montserratminobis.cat/
Alerts
Many female journalists want to raise their voices, but they are silenced in their countries. Many live in countries in conflict, with no possibility of reporting the violations of women’s rights that occur there daily. They live under conditions of persecution or are forced into exile. By denouncing this violence—and thereby helping to give a voice to these journalists and communicators—their situation and message are brought to the attention of the media and the public. This, in turn, creates more space to discuss topics that are prohibited in some countries: sexual abuse within the family or the workplace, honor killings, female genital mutilation, domestic violence, forced marriages (including those involving underage girls), and the lack of legal protection for women…
Others experience gender-based violence within their profession—whether as war correspondents, while living in countries where state violence exists, or within an editorial board or their own workplace—and this, too, must be denounced.
In this regard, it is worth highlighting the work already being carried out by RIPVG and Women In Journalism, which we intend to publicize.
Red Card
Using this football-related analogy, Minobis—who was a great fan of the sport and, more broadly, a staunch advocate for women’s sports—wanted *La Independent* to blow its whistle loud and clear in response to the blatant sexism found in media coverage. She called for “whistle-blowing” against the sexist treatment of news content, the lack of gender parity among sources, the use of non-inclusive language, the presence of exclusionary imagery, and the many other forms of bias that manifest in the media.
It is worth highlighting the existing work of the Association of Women Journalists of Catalonia, XIDPIC.CAT itself, and *On Son les Dones?*, which points us in the direction to follow.
Tona Gusi, on behalf of the La Independent Team made up of Amada Santos, Teresa Carreras, Elsa Corominas, Diva Criado, Drina Ergueta, Fabiola Llanos, Julia López, Alicia Oliver, Carme Porta, Àngels Pujol, Elena Tarifa and Ma Àngels Viladot.
Barcelona, November 25, 2022.