News Agency Thomson Reuters Names Journalism Alumnus as Latin America's Reporter of the Year

Columbia, Mo. (Feb. 16, 2009) -- The international news agency Thomson Reuters has named Alonso Soto, BJ '05, as its Latin America's Reporter of the Year. Soto reports from Ecuador.

Alonso Soto, BJ '05

In the award announcement, judges said that the Missouri School of Journalism alumnus "was ahead on virtually every story all year long as leftist President Rafael Correa proposed and then won broad new powers in a referendum, rewrote mining laws and imposed more control over the country's oil and mining sectors, and then defaulted on its debt."

Patrick Esteruelas, of the political risk consulting firm Eurasia Group, said of Soto's work: "His coverage of events leading up to and surrounding Ecuador's default has been prompt, incisive and extremely comprehensive."

A Reuters press release said that Soto's coverage repeatedly won praise from customers who noted his accuracy and his ability to be first with breaking news. Some examples include:

While a student, Soto interned for Reuters and The Wall Street Journal.

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