"Journalism can save lives," said the person who directed the Buenos Aires Herald, the first outlet to report disappearances during the Argentine dictatorship.

In an event held at the Faculty of Humanities and Arts, the British journalist Robert Cox received the title of Doctor Honoris Causa of the Universidad Nacional de Rosario under the sponsorship of the dean of that house of studies, Alejandro Vila.

Cox directed the Buenos Aires Herald newspaper and, on his initiative, was the first outlet to report openly and systematically in the middle of 1976 that the military government kidnapped and made people disappear. He went to the rounds of the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo until in 1977 he was illegally detained. From that moment on, he and his family lived under threat and went into exile in the United States.

“I went to see what was happening when the majority of Argentines didn't know and others didn't want to know,” Cox said during his speech at the UNR. "It's like a movie that I have in my mind from all that time and getting here is like a conclusion to my life."

Given the distinction granted by the University, the honoree expressed that "it is difficult with this emotion to remember the fight we made for democracy, for life, in the Buenos Aires Herald newspaper, which was extraordinary" and emphasized that we must fight to achieve the democracy and human rights.

The Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Arts Alejandro Vila stressed that "there are plenty of reasons to grant the highest distinction of the Public University to Robert Cox, what a pride that he is part of our institution, he gives us prestige." He highlighted his exemplary character since in the face of terror, darkness and silence "he was a voice, a reference and a hope for thousands". He also referred to his commitment to the trade, journalistic ethics and the search for the truth that "serves to save lives."

The honoree's godfather also highlighted his convictions with democracy, the republic, human rights and supporting him in difficult times. But above all, his courage to let the world know what was happening during state terrorism, then go into exile and finally testify at the junta trials in 1985.

For his part, Rector Franco Bartolacci expressed that it is an enormous privilege for the Universidad Nacional de Rosario formally receive it as part of the teaching staff. “What we come to be grateful for today, in addition to the trajectory, is a way of living, a dignity in that transit that challenges, moves, and mobilizes our community.”

"We thank you for this testimony, for questioning our daily practices, our horizons, our principles, our values, our commitment and responsibilities, for allowing us to send a message to our community and to society as a whole," he said, adding: "Welcome to our house which, from today, is also yours"

Ruben Chababo was in charge of reading the laudatio. Then, Rector Bartolacci swore Robert Cox, presented him with the diploma and medal, and finally, the brand new Doctor Honoris Causa gave his keynote address.

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Robert Cox was born in 1933 in the United Kingdom. He arrived in Argentina in 1959 hired as a writer by The Buenos Aires Herald. Through his initiative, the Herald was the first medium to report openly and systematically in the middle of 1976 that the military government kidnapped and made people disappear.

As a chronicler, Cox went to the rounds of the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo, until in 1977 he was illegally detained. From that moment he and his family lived under threats, he suffered an attempt on his life and his wife a kidnapping attempt. In 1979 he left the country with his family, going into exile in the United States.

He settled in Charleston, South Carolina, where the Daily News and Courier newspaper is located, the main outlet of the group that owns the Herald, for which he worked as editor of the international section, covering, among other news, the civil wars in El Salvador and In Nicaragua. Over time he was deputy director of the newspaper and also president of the Inter-American Press Association. Later, in 2011, he received the Grand Prize for Press Freedom awarded by this entity due to his "long career and courage".

That same year, in our country, Cox gave his testimony before the Federal Oral Court 6, summoned as a witness in the hearing where the application of a systematic plan to steal babies during the dictatorship was judged.

His wife, Maud Daverio de Cox wrote a book about her life in Argentina during the years of the dictatorship, entitled "Saved from Hell." His son David published the book Dirty secrets, dirty war. Buenos Aires, Argentina, 1976-1983: The exile of editor Robert J. Cox (published in Spanish as In honor of the truth: Memories from the exile of Robert Cox). Another version was made in Buenos Aires in 2010: Dirty war, dirty secrets.

About his life, especially during the time of the 1976 dictatorship, the documentary The Messenger, or The Messenger of the White Horse, a co-production between Argentina and Australia directed by Jayson McNamara, was filmed. The film was screened at the BAFICI 2017 Human Rights Competition.

Journalist: Victoria Arrabal/Photographer: Camila Casero