Ray Kerins: "Any threat to the freedom of the press is a threat to the existence of our democracy"

Ray Kerins is the Senior Vice President and head of corporate affairs of BAYER and a proud believer of the Association of Foreign Press Correspondents (AFC-USA).

Bayer, a global enterprise focused on healthcare and agriculture, is one of the major supporters of the AFC-USA, helping it accomplish its mission to provide foreign journalists with valuable resources to higher their skills, establish networks, find employment opportunities and further their education.

“We at Bayer believe in a free and independent press,” Kerins said in his speech during the 2020 AFC scholarship awards ceremony lived streamed on Dec. 22. “Any threat to the freedom of the press is a threat to the existence of our democracy”, he said. Kerins explained journalists’ need for resources to produce quality journalism. He spoke of the 25% drop in newsrooms jobs over the last decade and their dwindling budgets.

“Fewer newsroom jobs mean fewer opportunities for the next generation of journalists to learn and hone their craft. At stake is far more than the careers of these aspiring communicators,” Kerins said. “But what is truly at risk is the very existence of high quality local, national and international information upon which all of us rely to make some of the most important decisions.” 

“Decisions,”  Kerins continued, “that affect our lives, the lives of our fellow citizens, the lives of our children, and our democracy.” The three journalists chosen to receive the Bayer Scholarship are Sarah Peter from Saint Lucia, Mariel Lozada from Venezuela, and Oheneba Ama Nti Osei from Ghana. “These three outstanding journalists are emblematic of the bright future for this profession and, by extension, our society,” Kerins said.

Bayer offers unrestricted support to the AFC-USA. The company also helps provide assistance for training programs and donates to top professional organizations for journalists. “We are committed to offering journalists like these our support,” Kerins said. “Because it is the right thing to do for our country and our world.”