Santo Domingo.- President Leonel Fernández has awarded the 2012 National Journalism Prize to eminent journalist and university professor Rafael Núñez Grassals.

The ceremony, which took place last night at the National Palace Ambassadors Hall, was attended by relatives, officials, colleagues and media executives.

After accepting the prize, Grassals expressed his thanks for the honor and stated that it confirmed his commitment to act ethically and honestly in the exercise of the profession.

He stressed that there is no journalism without ethics and declared that, “journalistic ethics obliges and orders respect for the true facts and for people.”

“When ethics fail, there is no real information,” stated Grassals, adding that, “journalism is a passion that is felt forever; one cannot try to be popular and be applauded by everyone.”

Afterwards, the outgoing president presented awards to 46 of his government officials for their contributions during eight years of service to the country. They received the Order of Merit of Duarte, Sánchez and Mella and the Heraldic Order of Christopher Columbus. The highest distinction was awarded to outgoing vice president Rafael Alburquerque.