Enrique Santiago Ojito Linares

Journalist for the newspaper Escambray, in the province of Sancti Spíritus. Reporter, program director, screenwriter and analyst in radio spaces.

He comes from a large family. From his father he inherited a passion for reading, that bookseller overflowing with works from who knows where. From his mother, boundless dedication. He recalls that he was born practically in the middle of an orange grove in Bacuino, a municipality in La Sierpe in Sancti Spíritus.

On the path toward wisdom, he encountered the diligent hands of teachers like Argilio Meneses in his little rural school or Marilyn Helguera, a Spanish and Literature professor at the vocational school "Che Guevara", who revealed to him the mysteries of letters. By chance in his calling, a Chinese classmate ahead of him, Arturo Chang, awakened in him a passion for news during his rural childhood.

He studied at the Vocational Che Guevara and later journalism at the University of Oriente. He graduated from the University of Oriente in 1988, with the distinction of Best Overall Student. Upon finishing his university studies, he began working as a journalist at Escambray, the provincial newspaper of Sancti Spíritus.

"In September 1988 I arrived at Escambray eager to conquer the world, like almost every recent graduate, with projects for several personality interviews up my sleeve —he recalls with emotion lighting up his eyes—. I quickly learned that you don't reach the summit of the mountain by parachute, by shortcuts, or overnight. You reach the summit on foot, by trails, opening paths, without fearing falls. In other words, I soon understood that green wood doesn't make fire. Shortly after, I came down from the clouds and began to walk with the help of my colleagues; of course, without stopping dreaming".

And so, step by step, day after day, Ojito became a great journalist, willing to write equally about harvests and poetry, capable of jumping any barrier to investigate tirelessly and reach the truth, wise in finding ways to convince through the arguments of reason. With his means, a single goal: to reach the deepest level, without being dazzled by the freshness of the branches. "That road has been quite rocky; you reach the root with the help of investigation, which is the gene, the matrix of pure-bred journalism. I have tried not to be a hostage of impressionist journalism. I don't risk my word on what I suppose or believe a priori".

Perhaps by chance, Enrique Ojito discovered Radio and surrendered to its charms in little time, never forgetting his amazement before the page open to his virtuoso pen. Not on one plane or the other. Destiny united two passions in the same man; he, wise in the end, was able to conquer them both and held onto both.

More than 300 provincial and national awards accumulated throughout his press career. But he owes it only to his most demanding critic: the public. To them he has given himself body and soul. To journalism he has consecrated his existence, at the risk of his own health; in exchange for some gratitude and many disappointments.

Among the obstacles he must overcome each day is a certain degree of visual impairment as he suffers from retinitis pigmentosa.

He is an adjunct professor at the University Center of Sancti Spíritus and has taught workshops and given lectures in various provinces. Recipient of the Juan Gualberto Gómez Annual Journalism Award in Print Media for the year 2008.

He has developed his vast professional work, for more than three decades of active practice, in two traditional spaces simultaneously and in both with outstanding and sustained stylistic excellence and a deep analytical vision: the printed press at the newspaper Escambray and radio at Radio Sancti Spiritus.

He also expresses himself in the skillful use of social networks and multimedia communication that characterizes this millennium.

Enrique Ojito Linares is a journalist who has reached the summit on foot, by trails, opening paths, without fearing falls. He has received the National José Martí Journalism Prize for his extraordinary work, but he doesn't think of himself as a star by any means.

For that unrelenting passion, for that great reciprocated love, came as reward the National José Martí Journalism Prize for the work of his life. "I only compare news to the birth of my children. First and foremost, I thought of my dad, the man who taught me that ideas are not grafted, but sown; I thought of my mom, a woman who paid for my university expenses in Santiago de Cuba with her salary as a cleaning assistant. I also thought of my people at Escambray, where I was hardened as a journalist".

Minutes of the National José Martí Journalism Prize 2020 for lifetime work

The Jury of the National José Martí Journalism Prize for lifetime work, corresponding to the year 2020 —composed of the 15 journalists whose signatures appear below this declaration—, after a thorough and complete analysis of the 37 candidacies, presented by an equal number of base delegations of the Union of Journalists of Cuba, and after an exhaustive debate that showed the considerable merit of the nominees and allowed, under equal conditions, to appreciate and evaluate their merits, resolved to grant the highest distinction of the profession to:

A colleague who has developed his vast professional work, for more than three decades of active practice, in two traditional spaces simultaneously, and in both with outstanding and sustained stylistic excellence and a deep analytical vision: printed press and radio, and also expresses himself in the skillful use of social networks and multimedia communication that characterizes this millennium.

The recognition from readers and radio listeners, from his colleagues at the provincial and national level, and the support of nearly 300 awards and honors in various competitions —which include the Juan Gualberto Gómez Annual Prize in 2008, 2011 and 2016 and Special Mentions in 2004, 2010 and 2018—, certify excellent performance.

Our awardee combines constant learning, mastery, courage, stylistic beauty and solid professional preparation in addressing —from all genres of journalism, with emphasis on investigative— complex and controversial topics in the economic, cultural, social and ideological reality; a daily dive into the public agenda, at stake and risk, from the perspective of ethics, principles and loyalty to the Cuban homeland, which allow him with personal courage to see with clarity both present and future.

To his own work he adds a leading contribution to the design, execution and evaluation of the editorial management model of the press medium where he works; he is equally valued as a reporter, program director, screenwriter and analyst in radio spaces; and he is appreciated in the capacity of "teacher" for his permanent willingness to share knowledge with others.

On one occasion, a gentle hand, "of a gentleman, without displays of power", shook his and accompanied the greeting with a "We're doing well!, We're doing well!" for him and the collective he represented. Today, we accompany with satisfaction that most faithful recognition, and we also say from Cuban journalism, to the knowledge, to the work, to the iron will of a man standing firm in Escambray, the spiritual center of our Cuba: With you, We're doing well!