52 the way in which they contributed to the communications mission of the channel. Consequently, the Court finds it relevant to state that, when reference is made to “RCTV’ in this chapter on freedom of expression and in in the chapter on discrimination, it should be understood as the medium by which the presumed victims exercised their right to freedom of expression and not as an explicit reference to the legal person known as “RCTV C.A.” 152. In this regard, it should be noted that, at the present time, most journalism is exercised through legal persons and the Court reiterates that it is essential that the journalists who work in the media enjoy the necessary independence and protection to fulfill their functions properly because it is they who keep society informed, an essential requirement for society to enjoy complete freedom.226 In particular, bearing in mind that their activity is the principle expression of freedom of thought and expression and is specifically guaranteed by the American Convention.227 153. In this case, both journalists, and shareholders who are members of the Board of Directors of RCTV C.A, proved the connection between their respective tasks and the generation of content on the media outlet. In this regard, the Court emphasizes that the initial petition lodged before the Inter-American Commission contained a greater number of possible presumed victims, because it included more of the company’s employees. In this regard, the Commission analyzed which employees had a real impact on the company’s communications mission. Nevertheless, the Court considers that this relationship is directly proved in the following cases: a) Larissa Patiño, as Manager of Morning Information Programs, had every-day responsibility for deciding on the issues and who would be invited on the program “La Entrevista”; took part in meetings to rank the news and select topics that were relevant to what was happening in the country for the news program “El Observador” and to discuss the issues to be dealt with in the program “Alerta”;228 b) Soraya Castellano, Information Manager, attached to the RCTV Vice President for Information, stated that she had always handled everything related to the news content and ranking for the RCTV news and information programs, as well as special reports;229 c) María Arriaga, in her capacity as Information Manager, stated that she was “responsible for the content of the three emissions of “El Observador” and supported the other Managers […] of Information and of Opinion”;230 d) Inés Bacalao, had the task of directing the strategic news program schedule using products created and implemented by RCTV; e) Eduardo Sapene, RCTV Vice President for Information and Opinion, was responsible for directing the planning and execution of RCTV information and opinion projects, producing programs that responded to audience needs; f) Eladio Lárez, RCTV Executive President, presided the work of creating, producing, integrating and monitoring the programming grid with news, opinion, drama, humor, educational and entertainment content; g) Daniela Bergami, RCTV General Manager, designed, supervised and supported all the processes related to the creation, diffusion and commercialization of news, opinion, drama, humor, educational and entertainment content, and 226 Cf. Case of Ivcher Bronstein v. Peru, para. 150, and Case of Herrera Ulloa v. Costa Rica, para. 119. Cf. Compulsory Membership in an Association Prescribed by Law for the Practice of Journalism, paras. 71 and 72, and Case of Fontevecchia and D’Amico v. Argentina, para. 46. 227 228 Written statement of Larissa Patiño of May 5, 2014 (merits file, folio 1455). 229 Written statement of Soraya Castellano of April 20, 2014 (merits file, folios 1551 to 1553). 230 Written statement of María Arriaga of May 5, 2014 (merits file, folios 1487 and 1488).