Jan Martínez-Ahrens Appointed as New Director of 'El País'
Martínez-Ahrens takes over leadership from Pepa Bueno after her tenure marked by growth in subscriptions and editions abroad.
Jan Martínez-Ahrens has been proposed as the new director of the Spanish newspaper 'El País' by Joséph Oughourlian, the president of the newspaper and its parent group, PRISA.
The announcement was made on June 4, 2025, and is set to be confirmed following a consultative vote by the newspaper's staff as per its editorial statutes.
Martínez-Ahrens replaces Pepa Bueno, who has served as director since July 2021 and oversaw significant growth in subscriptions and international editions.
Born in Paris in 1966, Martínez-Ahrens holds a degree in Philosophy from the University of Valencia and a master's degree in Journalism from the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and 'El País'.
He further enhanced his managerial skills through an executive development program at IESE Business School and was a student of Gabriel García Márquez at the Fundación Nuevo Periodismo Iberoamericano.
Martínez-Ahrens joined 'El País' in 1992, beginning his career in the Valencia region.
He later moved to Madrid, contributing to the sections covering criminal news and society.
In 2006, he was appointed deputy director of the Sunday edition and subsequently served as the chief correspondent in the United States, where he notably reported on the Donald Trump administration.
In 2020, he was promoted to lead 'El País América', overseeing operations in Mexico City, São Paulo, and Washington, D.C. His leadership contributed to the newspaper winning the World Editors Forum Award in 2022. Additionally, he received the award for Best Spanish Correspondent Abroad in 2017 from the International Press Club for his impactful reporting from Mexico, particularly during a crucial political period.
Oughourlian’s decision to appoint Martínez-Ahrens follows a review of other candidates, including Miguel Jiménez, who heads the America edition of 'El País', and Jorge Rivera, Oughourlian's chief of staff and former director of 'Cinco Días'.
The Board of Administration of 'El País' expressed gratitude to Pepa Bueno for her commitment and achievements.
Under her leadership, the newspaper surpassed 400,000 subscribers and expanded to six editions across America.
Her departure occurs amidst ongoing conflicts between Oughourlian and certain shareholder groups in Spain seeking to remove him from his position.
The announcement was made on June 4, 2025, and is set to be confirmed following a consultative vote by the newspaper's staff as per its editorial statutes.
Martínez-Ahrens replaces Pepa Bueno, who has served as director since July 2021 and oversaw significant growth in subscriptions and international editions.
Born in Paris in 1966, Martínez-Ahrens holds a degree in Philosophy from the University of Valencia and a master's degree in Journalism from the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and 'El País'.
He further enhanced his managerial skills through an executive development program at IESE Business School and was a student of Gabriel García Márquez at the Fundación Nuevo Periodismo Iberoamericano.
Martínez-Ahrens joined 'El País' in 1992, beginning his career in the Valencia region.
He later moved to Madrid, contributing to the sections covering criminal news and society.
In 2006, he was appointed deputy director of the Sunday edition and subsequently served as the chief correspondent in the United States, where he notably reported on the Donald Trump administration.
In 2020, he was promoted to lead 'El País América', overseeing operations in Mexico City, São Paulo, and Washington, D.C. His leadership contributed to the newspaper winning the World Editors Forum Award in 2022. Additionally, he received the award for Best Spanish Correspondent Abroad in 2017 from the International Press Club for his impactful reporting from Mexico, particularly during a crucial political period.
Oughourlian’s decision to appoint Martínez-Ahrens follows a review of other candidates, including Miguel Jiménez, who heads the America edition of 'El País', and Jorge Rivera, Oughourlian's chief of staff and former director of 'Cinco Días'.
The Board of Administration of 'El País' expressed gratitude to Pepa Bueno for her commitment and achievements.
Under her leadership, the newspaper surpassed 400,000 subscribers and expanded to six editions across America.
Her departure occurs amidst ongoing conflicts between Oughourlian and certain shareholder groups in Spain seeking to remove him from his position.
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