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Report

IAPA reviews state of press freedom in 2011

(IAPA/IFEX) - Miami, December 29, 2011 - In its 2011 review of the state of press freedom the Inter American Press Association (IAPA) concluded that this was one of the most “challenging and tragic” years for the countries of the Americas and reaffirmed its commitment to confront the next challenges.

It was one of the most challenging and tragic years regarding press freedom, in which the people had to grapple with violence in order to be able to express themselves freely and had laws that nullified the effect of constitutional guarantees of the people's right to be freely informed.

Regarding violence being unleashed against journalists, in general carried out by drug traffickers, and in many cases in collusion with corrupt officials, this has been one of the decade's worst years. The killing of 24 reporters demonstrates the dangerous advance of organized crime throughout the region. Seven journalists were killed in Mexico, five in Honduras, four in Brazil, three in Peru and one in each of the following countries: Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala and Paraguay.

Together with the impunity surrounding crimes committed in other years and the lack of action on the part of the authorities to deter those who resort to violence, a vicious circle has been created that has given rise to high levels of self-censorship. Also noted are the few advances made regarding freedom of the press and of assembly in Cuba, a country where there was a worsening of censorship and violence against dissidents, independent journalists and bloggers.

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