Carlos Yárnoz is named new Readers’ Editor at EL PAÍS

EL PAÍS editor-in-chief Soledad Gallego-Díaz has appointed Carlos Yárnoz as the newspaper’s new Readers’ Editor. Yárnoz replaces Lola Galán, who has held the position since October 2014. He’ll be the 14th newspaper journalist to have held this internal ombudsman post since it was created in 1985. The Readers’ Editor is tasked with guaranteeing the rights of readers and with addressing any complaints, doubts or suggestions they might have with regard to the contents of the newspaper. The Readers’ Editor also monitors the treatment of news so as to ensure that this is in in strict accordance with the ethical and professional standards of the newspaper, as set out in the Style Book. The duties and purview of the post are governed by the Readers’ Editor Statute, which guarantees the full and total independence of the role.

Carlos Yárnoz was born in Artajona (Navarra) in 1953 and he holds a degree in Information Sciences from the University of Navarra. He has spent practically all his professional career at EL PAÍS, though he began his working life at the agency Europa Press and he subsequently worked atTiempo magazine between 1977 and 1982. He joined EL PAÍS in 1983 as a reporter for the Spain section, specializing in security and defense issues.

Six years later, he was appointed editor for three sections: Politics, Society and Local. He subsequently headed the Investigative Team between 1993 and 1995, before being appointed as editor of the final edition and in charge of overall coordination of all editions. In 2000 he was made head of the newspaper’s bureau  in Brussels, where he spent five years covering EU institutional and economic policy.

Back in Madrid, he served as news editor until 2012. Over the next two years, he was editor of the weekend edition. He also served as correspondent in Paris between 2014 and 2017. Since then, he has written numerous opinion articles for the International section, almost all of them on European and EU policy issues.

Incidentally, the new Reader's Editor was a also member of the committee that, 33 years ago, came up with the first draft of the Readers’ Editor Statute. It was the first time the role of newspaper ombudsman had been envisaged in Spain. In 2013, Yárnoz received the Salvador de Madariaga Journalism Award for his contribution to the promotion of European awareness.

The Readers’ Editor is chosen from among "journalists of recognized prestige, credibility and professional ethics", and the role has no executive responsibilities in the structure of the newspaper. The Readers’ Editor, does, however, have the power to make any internal inquiries he or she deems necessary in order to address reader’s doubts and concerns and to discuss any issues whenever an explanation must be given to the readers. He or she also responds to readers, either directly by mail, or in articles published on the website or in the print edition, depending on the issues involved.