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Alerts - 2012 - Americas

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Canada

Quebec's Bill 78 severely infringes on Charter rights

In a letter to the Premier of Québec, CJFE calls for Bill 78 - which restricts the freedom of individuals to gather spontaneously - to be immediately revoked.

Peru

Newspaper director and editor receive e-mail death threats

The journalists believe the death threats are a response to the newspaper’s position regarding the presence of some consultants, officials and a group of powerful businessmen close to Mayor Zevallos.

Mexico

Journalist Marcos Ávila García found dead in Sonora after being kidnapped

The body of Marcos Ávila García, a reporter for the newspaper "El Regional de Sonora", who was kidnapped on 17 May 2012 by armed men, was found on the afternoon of 18 May, metres from the highway that connects the municipalities of Guaymas and Empalme.

Venezuela

Journalist receives kidnapping threats, allegedly from local government

Arturo Francis, a journalist and columnist for “La Prensa de Barinas” newspaper, reported that his family was threatened with being kidnapped, after a person close to the regional government of the state of Barinas told him that the government is trying to scare him.

Brazil

New Access to Information Law comes into effect

The law regulates the right of access to public information already guaranteed by the Constitution since 1988. It provides good procedures for processing information requests and covers obligations concerning proactive disclosure and the duty to provide data in an open and non-proprietary format.

Cuba

Hablemos Press journalist awaits 10th deportation to hometown

Calixto Ramón Martínez Arias recently reported, via Hablemos Press, that Havana was experiencing problems with its water supply.

Honduras

Journalist found dead a week after being kidnapped

News of Alfredo Villatoro's murder spread quickly through the national media and dozens of journalists showed up at the morgue in a show of solidarity for their colleague, condemning his murder.

Colombia

FLIP condemns attack against journalist and former minister Fernando Londoño

Those responsible for the attack have not been identified yet but Londoño had been receiving threats from the FARC.

Ecuador

Government uses telecast to discredit journalist, human rights report

The telecast interrupted Ecuavisa's news programme and was aimed at discrediting interviewer Gabriela Baer and a report by the Simón Bolivar Andean University.

Peru

Journalist receives death threat from alderman

Journalist Bequer Bejarano Valdivia, director of Channel 35 program Alerta, reported to the governor of Huánuco that he has received death threats from an alderman in the municipality, Clever Zevallos Fretel.

Mexico

IAPA condemns attack on El Mañana paper

IAPA today expressed outrage at an assault on Mexican newspaper El Mañana, whose plant, located in the city of Nuevo Laredo, in the northern state of Tamaulipas, was attacked on Friday by assailants shooting and hurling an unidentified type of explosive device.

Argentina

FOPEA condemns death threats against journalists in Reconquista, Santa Fe

FOPEA called for quick action, stressing the need for an immediate end to the threats against Ester Lutz and Gustavo Raffin.

Peru

Court acquits alleged masterminds of journalist's murder

The Third Criminal Court issued the definitive sentence in the trial of the 2004 murder of journalist Alberto Rivera Fernández, acquitting the former mayor of Coronel Portillo, Luis Valdez Villacorta, and his former municipal administrator, Solio Ramírez Garay, both previously accused of being the masterminds behind the crime.

Peru

Police investigation points to mayor as mastermind behind journalist's murder

According to the police report No. 038-211 prepared by SEINCRI, Mayor Rivera Huerta ordered the murder because of the journalist’s criticisms of a series of municipal works.

Guatemala

Community radio stations raided, journalist arrested

Representatives of the Attorney General's office and National Civil Police officers raided community radio stations Uqul Tinamit and Jun Toj, taking their equipment and arresting one journalist.

Honduras

IAPA urges government to act speedily on abduction of journalist

Alfredo Villatoro, with the Tegucigalpa radio station HRN, was driving at 4:45 a.m. on his way to the station, where he is in charge of the newscast “Diario Matutino” (Morning News), when he was intercepted and kidnapped by at least six assailants who were riding in two pickup trucks; he had reported receiving death threats.

Guatemala

Six TV stations closed due to political pressure

Journalists in Mazatenango, Suchitépequez have denounced the closing of six local TV stations, a decision that was taken after the local mayor put pressure on the Cable DX company, saying he would not tolerate criticism of his administration.

Honduras

Journalist, human rights defender killed

Three weeks ago Erick Martínez Ávila had announced his candidacy for deputy of Francisco Morazán department in the Libre party, which is a political wing of the National Popular Resistance Front (FNRP) that was created after the 2009 coup d'état.

Honduras

TV programme director gets hundreds of threatening text messages

According to journalist Edgardo Castro, the discussion of social issues such as speaking in favour of peasants, minimum salaries and in defense of workers, and against crime, is what makes the oligarchy threaten journalists.

Mexico

Three photojournalists found dead in Veracruz

The bodies of three photojournalists were found in a sewage canal in the municipality of Boca del Rio, less than a week after another Veracruz journalist was found dead.

Honduras

Shots fired at journalist's home

As Selvin Martínez was returning from a work trip to San Pedro Sula, he saw people in a red car firing towards his home.

Honduras

TV journalist survives assassination attempt

Elder Joel Aguilar, a correspondent for Canal 6, had recently reported on an armed gang holdup of four trucks carrying shipments of coffee.

Brazil

Gunmen attack journalist's house, car at night

Vinícius Henriques has worked for more than a decade with local radio station Arapuan FM, where he covers the police beat for the program "Rota da Notícia". Henriques told reporters that he suspected members of organized crime were behind the attack and that it was linked to one of his reports.

Colombia

French journalist's whereabouts unknown

Roméo Langlois, a correspondent for the France 24 television station and the newspaper Le Figaro, was accompanying an army and police operation against FARC coca laboratories as part of his work on a documentary on drug trafficking when he went missing.

Mexico

Yet another journalist murdered in Veracruz

The murder of Regina Martínez is the fifth in 17 months in the state since Javier Duarte assumed the governorship.

Ecuador

New media bill should be scrapped, says CPJ

In a letter to the President of the National Assembly, Fernando Cordero Cueva, the Committee to Protect Journalists expresses its concern about a new communications bill that includes new restrictions that could limit the rights of citizens to inform and be informed.

Honduras

Journalist and human rights defender threatened with sexual violence

Dina Meza Elvir, a journalist and human rights defender with the Committee of Relatives of the Disappeared in Honduras, has receiving threatening telephone calls and text messages.

Brazil

Abraji urges investigation into killing of journalist in Maranhão

Journalist Décio Sá had worked for the newspaper "O Estado do Maranhão", owned by the family of José Sarney, president of the Federal Senate, and ran a blog about politics.

Colombia

Journalists flee homes after receiving threats

Dionisia Morales, a radio host with Briceno, received death threats via text messages and telephone calls, she told CPJ. The caller identified himself as a member of the Autodefensas Gaitanistas de Colombia, one of a handful of drug-trafficking gangs operating in the country.

Honduras

TV show host shot dead

According to reports by Maya TV, journalist Noel Valladares had received death threats and had been subjected to attempted extortion.

Colombia

Journalist flees after FARC threats

The La Voz de la Tierra station director said that the threats against Jesús Antonio Pareja may have been linked to a recent report on land restitution.

Honduras

Radio journalist assaulted, gets death threat from Liberal Party leaders

Radio Globo journalist Rony Espinoza reported that he was attacked and threatened with death by Liberal Party leaders accompanying Monsignor Luis Alfonso Santos to a political event.

United States

Colorado repeals criminal libel law

“Originally intended to protect the monarchy or aristocracy from criticism or insults, criminal defamation laws today serve all too often to obstruct scrutiny of the actions of those holding power and to deprive the people of the information they need to make decisions that will affect their lives for years to come,” said IPI.

Peru

Journalist kidnapped, threatened by rural self-defense group

Journalist Éler Alcántara Rojas was held by a group of ‘ronderos’ who humiliated and threatened to hurt him if he did not change his reports to favor their struggle against the Conga mining project.

Suriname

Human Rights Watch calls on national assembly to revoke amnesty legislation

The National Assembly of Suriname amended an existing amnesty law to give immunity to those who were on trial for the alleged abduction and murder of 15 prominent political opponents, including journalists, lawyers, and a trade union leader, in December 1982.

Peru

Prosecutor killed while investigating journalist's murder

Although the police have not been able to link prosecutor Sánchez Colona’s murder to that of journalist Flores Silva, the deputy prosecutor of Casma, said that the investigation into Flores Silva’s murder was Sánchez Colona’s main case. The police were due to complete their report this week.

Cuba

Released from Cuba's prisons, exiled journalists languish in Spain

Almost two years after the first crop of journalists arrived in Spain, the four who remain in the country are living under extremely difficult conditions, struggling even to feed themselves.

Venezuela

Court rules against regional newspaper

The case is linked to the publishing of photographs deemed detrimental to the rights of children and adolescents.

Bahamas

Authorities urged to respect press freedom during election season

Whichever party wins the May election should make the Bahamas a forerunner in the Caribbean by decriminalising defamation, IPI noted.

Mexico

Poet and translator murdered in Toluca

Guillermo Fernández García's murderers had bound his feet and hands before killing him with a blow to the head.

United States

In Boston, journalist battles to keep sources confidential

Ed Moloney, an award-winning Irish journalist who has covered the conflict in Northern Ireland since 1979, and researcher Anthony McIntyre are fighting to keep their confidential sources secret.

United States

Draconian cyber security bill could lead to Internet surveillance censorship

"A blanket monitoring system is never an appropriate solution, nor is blocking or censoring websites that disclose information that is classified but of public interest," said RSF.

Argentina

Journalist threatened after investigating drug trafficking

"Drug trafficking is one of the greatest enemies of journalism in Latin America and, to some extent, it made the area become in 2011 the world's most dangerous region for media workers," says IPI.

Ecuador

Correa questions IACHR and maligns Fundamedios

President Rafael Correa made the statements in relation to a recent meeting between a government delegation, led by Foreign Affairs Minister Ricardo Patiño, and members of the IACHR, to talk about the sentence against the newspaper "El Universo".

Dominican Republic

IAPA welcomes Inter-American Court's ruling in case of missing journalist

The ruling by the Inter-American Human Rights Court requires the government of the Dominican Republic to “establish the truth of the events in question” and “punish those responsible” for the forced disappearance 18 years ago of journalist Narciso González Medina.

Colombia

Journalist's murderer gets 21 years in jail, but motive is still unknown

While noting the speed with which the police and judicial authorities acted in this case, RSF cannot be satisfied with a verdict that reveals nothing about the motive for the journalist’s murder.

Suriname

Parliament urged to reject amnesty that would include murders of five journalists

“The traumas of the past are perpetuated by impunity, which by definition runs counter to the rule of law and the expression of fundamental human rights,” said RSF.

Ecuador

Trial against "El Gran Hermano" authors continues after proposed pardon is rejected

The authors’ attorney that the trial will continue because no legal procedure exists as a possible way to end a civil trial. "What the court has done is request that, if the process is to come to an end, that it is done according to the law".

Colombia

Authorities announce arrest in murder of journalist Argemiro Cárdenas Agudelo

The suspected gunman reportedly told investigators that he was to have received 1 million pesos (approx. € 420) for murdering Cárdenas Agudelo, who owned and reported for Metro Radio and served as Dosquebradas mayor in the late 1990s.

Chile

Court asked to protect TV journalist in attempt to seize riot video

The request was filed a few hours after men in civilian dress went to the home of the journalist who filmed the video, Canal 40 TV Aysén owner and director Samuel Chong Rivera, and threatened to arrest him if he did not hand it over.

Ecuador

State newspaper editor-in-chief receives death threats after publishing criticisms

Orlando Pérez, editor-in-chief and feature writer of the state newspaper "El Telégrafo", reported in his column that he has received several email death threats because of critical comments he made against the right wing political sector.

Peru

Court quashes defamation conviction on appeal

“This is unquestionably a victory for freedom of information and we hail Teobaldo Meléndez Fachín’s tenacity in the face of all the pressure put on him,” Reporters Without Borders said.

Ecuador

Government officials threaten, intimidate local journalists

The Minister of the Interior warned he may initiate legal proceedings against Teleamazonas TV station if it does not present evidence of information, allegedly voiced during its news program, stating that the police had used teargas bombs during the marches that took place in Quito.

Venezuela

Column writer denounces smear campaign against him

Omar Arévalo believes these accusations come in the wake of a series of reports he has made in his column.

Mexico

Two media outlets attacked within a week

An unidentified assailant threw a grenade at the offices of television station Televisa in the city of Matamoros on Sunday, according to news reports.

Grenada

Government blamed for newspaper reporter's dismissal

In the 9 March article that apparently prompted his dismissal, Rawle Titus reported that the prime minister had selected the ruling National Democratic Congress’ candidates for the next general elections without bothering to consult with the party’s leaders.

Peru

Journalist warned about potential attack

Lenin Quevedo Bardález, news editor of the digital newspaper "Voces", reported in one of his articles that he may be the victim of an attempt on his life by police officers who were involved in a robbery and whom he had named in a previous article.

Cuba

Government must halt repression in advance of Pope's visit

Dissidents said that when they sought to exercise their basic rights to speak up about human rights concerns and hold rallies over the past few weeks, the authorities responded with beatings, detentions, harassment, and other repressive measures.

Venezuela

October election already fuelling threats and violence against media

With seven months to go to an October presidential election in which incumbent Hugo Chávez will face a challenge from opposition leader Henrique Capriles, the media are already experiencing a level of tension and confrontation that is well beyond what is normal in a pluralistic democratic debate.

Ecuador

Government media personnel prevented from covering indigenous movement march

Máximo Barba, a correspondent for Ecuador TV, was physically assaulted and prevented from covering an indigenous march as it passed through the city of Ambato.

Venezuela

Regional television station journalist threatened with kidnapping

Sara Vargas, a journalist for a station that is critical of the Chávez government, received threats via telephone calls and a note delivered by an unidentified individual.

Mexico

IAPA concerned over explosion outside "Expreso" newspaper in Tamaulipas

A car bomb exploded a short distance from the paper's offices, slightly injuring five people who were walking nearby and damaging several vehicles.

El Salvador

News website threatened for its reporting

The editor of the news website El Faro says his staff members have been followed after the site reported on a criminal network involving politicians.

Chile

Aysén protests and student rallies have worrying impact on journalists' safety

"At issue once again are the abuses by the security forces, especially the carabinero militarized police," said RSF.

Honduras

Journalist receives death threat in Choloma

On the day he received the threats, Alex Roberto Sabillón Gómez had reported on increases in water rates and human rights violations against street vendors and market tenants.

Ecuador

Newspaper owner attacked by athlete

In the accusation filed before the town prosecutor’s office, Javier Granados detailed that Samuel Rivera hit him several times and attempted to strangle him, but was stopped by several people who were nearby.

Bolivia

Journalist sentenced to two and a half years in prison for defamation

Rogelio Peláez was convicted of "defamation and libel" for his use of metaphors in articles about a lawyer who had collected excessively high legal fees.

Canada

Sûreté du Québec raids Montréal journalist Eric-Yvan Lemay's home

In a letter to the Québec Minister of Public Security, CJFE condemns the heavy-handed raid on journalist Eric-Yvan Lemay's home.

Colombia

Journalist and political leader killed in Dosquebradas, Risaralda

"Argemiro Cárdenas Agudelo was in the Metro Radio offices when he received a phone call and arranged a meeting with the caller. He was on his way to meet this person when he was shot and killed," said the local police chief.

Ecuador

Authors' attorney rejects offer of pardon from president

Ramiro Aguilar, the journalists’ lawyer, stated in a writ presented before the Second Civil Division of the Court of Justice of Pichincha, that "there can be no pardon in this case, because there is no outstanding obligation to pay”.

Venezuela

Armed group accuses Globovisión of hiring paramilitaries to create mayhem

Colectivo La Piedrita said that members of their group had been killed by "paramilitary men paid by the TV channel, to create turmoil and mayhem".

Bolivia

Evo Morales betrays contradictions in his position toward the press

IPI is dismayed that President Morales considers the media to be his opposition and, therefore, instead of condemning attacks against critical press, seems to leave his followers free to "react against the lies," which has at times resulted in violence.

Mexico

In milestone decision, Senate backs federalizing of anti-press crimes

In effect, the legislation makes federal authorities responsible for investigating and prosecuting attacks on the press, instead of state and local authorities who have been prone to corruption and inefficacy.

Peru

Journalist's work censored after newspaper is pressured by advertiser

Jorge Pereyra Díaz's weekly column, "A Fuego Lento", often criticized the Yanacocha company and the Conga mining project that the company is in charge of. A newspaper executive told him unexpectedly that his contributions would not be published any more.

Ecuador

Camera operator attacked during anti-drug trafficking operation

Relatives of people detained by police threw stones at the TV station's vehicle, hitting and injuring journalist Geovanny Vinueza.

Honduras

Radio journalist killed in Saba

Journalist Fausto Elio Hernández had reported on the municipal administration, the National Registry, farming conflicts in the Bajo Aguan region, and had recently covered the fire at the Comayagua prison that killed 361 prisoners.

Ecuador

Government misrepresents Freedom House's position on free expression

Freedom House is very concerned that an article published on March 4, 2012 in "El Ciudadano" misrepresented their position on freedom of expression in Ecuador. The article included inaccurate facts about a meeting between representatives of the Ecuadorean government and Freedom House.

Venezuela

Journalist reports plan to discredit him

Nelson Bocaranda said there seemed to be a plan to kidnap him and then make him appear drugged in a photomontage which would be publicised by the State-owned media.

Mexico

Ten journalists attacked in nine days in Oaxaca

ARTICLE 19 condemns the attacks against the journalists, which violates their right to freedom of expression and to seek and disseminate information of public interest.

Ecuador

Environmental activists detained for demonstrating against mining

Eight women were violently evicted from the Chinese embassy in Quito and then detained by the Ecuadorian police when they were attempting to carry out a peaceful demonstration in protest against large-scale mining.

Dominican Republic

Court acquits three men of murdering cameraman four years after crime

"We are unpleasantly surprised by this decision as Jaime Flete García’s motive for murdering Normando García seemed to have been established," RSF said.

Peru

Radio Campesina in Cajamarca closed temporarily, doubts over motive

Some of Radio Campesina's journalists, who preferred not to reveal their names, told IPYS that the real motive for the station's closure is to pressure some of the programs not to broadcast certain types of news.

Venezuela

IAPA condemns ratification of multi-million-dollar fine against Globovisión

The channel’s lawyer anticipated that there were actions remaining to be resolved in the First Court of Administrative Litigation, such as another appeal, meaning that the fine was not yet enforceable.

Dominican Republic

First lady files forgery charges against journalist

Margarita Cedeño de Fernández's attorney officially accused journalist Marco Martínez of falsifying documents in order to attack the honour and reputation of the first lady, who is currently running for vice president.

Venezuela

Radio announcer reports being threatened by regional government personnel

Adolfo Superlano, the host of a radio programme that denounces corruption, has requested protective measures, saying he feels he may be attacked by Barinas government personnel.

United States

Deputies use photo of reporter for target practice

Deputies at St. Bernard Parish targeted a black and white photo of Fox 8 News correspondent Lee Zurik’s face at a department shooting range. Zurick may have been targeted for reporting on electoral fraud in the department.

Venezuela

Globovisión journalists attacked while covering rally

The station reported that assailants, who wore the red shirts associated with supporters of President Hugo Chávez, threatened the journalists and stole their equipment.

Ecuador

Official misrepresents Human Rights Watch position

An interview with Communications Minister Fernando Alvarado, in the 4 March edition of the official newspaper "El Ciudadano", flagrantly distorted what happened during a recent meeting he had in Washington, with Human Rights Watch.

Haiti

Cité Soleil in mourning for murdered community radio station manager

Jean Liphète Nelson and four other people were driving in a Radio Boukman vehicle in Bois Neuf, a part of Cité Soleil, when they came under fire from four heavily armed individuals.

Honduras

Radio journalist receives death threat

On the day she was threatened, Mavis Ethel Cruz had discussed on her show a fire in the federal revenue archives, where a list of delinquent accounts had been kept.

Ecuador

Communications Secretary questions newspaper association director over contents of personal email

The official said that Cornejo’s wife had allegedly “written an email calling for a demonstration against this 'bad government', including an incitement to overthrow President Correa and a request for his resignation”.

Trinidad and Tobago

Ex-FIFA VP formally serves journalist notice of defamation suit

Lawyers representing embattled former FIFA Vice President Jack Warner notified journalist Lasana Liburd that their client planned to sue for libel and defamation over a series of articles linking Warner to missing emergency aid money for Haiti.

Ecuador

Government supporters start campaign opposing international press and human rights organisations

The campaign is a movement against the national and international media, and organizations that defend freedom of expression all over the world, because of their rejection of the ratification of the conviction against the newspaper "El Universo", its directors Carlos, Nicolás and César Pérez, and its opinion editor Emilio Palacio.

Venezuela

Court access denied to Globovisión reporters

Security employees of the Supreme Court of Justice of Venezuela denied access to a small Globovisión team made up of journalist Carlos Alberto Figueroa, cameraman Ademar Dona and assistant Oscar Graterol.

Colombia

Video producer flees Huila after death threats related to controversial video

Bladimir Sánchez Espitia had been working with the Association of Communities Affected by the Quimbo Hydroelectric Project (Asoquimbo) for a few months when he made the video of an eviction.

Ecuador

President pardons "El Universo" executives and writers; drops lawsuit against "El Gran Hermano" authors

Correa emphasized that the trial “made evident the great biases of the IACHR, a commission that has the characteristics of an NGO rather than a legal institution, in which legitimacy is secondary. Thus they take on real or imaginary crusades”.

Honduras

Journalists receive death threats after reporting on prison fire

"They want to silence us because we have recordings that show what really happened during the fire," said Juan Ramón Flores, owner of Catedral TV.

Honduras

C-Libre vice-president receives death threats

Journalist Danilo Osmaro Castellanos received threats to his life and that of his family, after criticising the management of a high-level municipal official in Copán.

Venezuela

Sports journalist gets death threat in Barinas

The threats seem to be connected to a statement Walter Obergón made regarding the poor conditions of the stadium where the Copa Libertadores match between Zamora Football Club and Argentina's Boca-Juniors was to be played.

Ecuador

Inter-American Commission on Human Rights orders suspension of sentences against "El Universo"

(WiPC/IFEX) - 22 February 2012 - The Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC) of PEN International welcomes the Inter American Commission on Human Rights' (IACHR) recent intervention in the criminal libel case against the Ecuadoran daily newspaper, El Universo. On 21 February 2012, the Commission ordered the Ecuadoran government to suspend the enforcement of the sentences handed down to the directors and former editor of the newspaper, pending a hearing between both parties. The hearing is scheduled for 28 March 2012 in Washington, DC.

Canada

Online surveillance bill threatens web users' rights

"By rubber stamping excessive monitoring of all Web users and allowing the authorities to obtain information about users without a warrant, Bill C-30 goes much too far," says RSF.

Argentina

Reporter and journalism student threatened by armed assailants

Omar Millalonco and Lilen Mercado study journalism at the Universidad Nacional de La Plata and work to defend human rights.

Ecuador

Panama grants diplomatic asylum to "El Universo" director

The president of Panama, Ricardo Martinelli, granted diplomatic asylum to Carlos Pérez Barriga after a sentence was ratified that convicted the paper's directors, and former feature writer to three years in prison and the payment of $40 million for the crime of slanderous offenses against President Rafael Correa.

Ecuador

Judge claims president's attorney dictated original sentence against "El Universo"

Judge Mónica Encalada has stated, in a written document addressed to the Guayas District Attorney’s Office, that the original sentence had been written by one of the Chief of State's attorneys.

Ecuador

Sentence against "El Universo" is a setback for democracy

"This shortsighted ruling will only keep Ecuadoran journalists from investigating powerful politicians; it represents a serious setback for democracy in Ecuador," says CPJ.

Brazil

Journalist killed in Ponta Porá

Journalist Cándido Figueredo reported in the Paraguayan daily ABC Color that Rocaro had been highly critical of the local mayor, and supported the campaign of an opposition mayoral candidate.

Venezuela

Journalists detained by members of militia

Journalist Abrahán Carvajal informed IPYS-Venezuela that members of the militia entered the room where they were interviewing a patient, and ordered them to leave and head to the Security Office.

Ecuador

Tribunal sets new date for the review of facts in "El Universo" case

The paper's lawyer has questioned the selection of the three judges who will now deal with the case.

Trinidad and Tobago

Police raid "Newsday" office in Trinidad

According to ACM's information, a team of police officers raided the offices of the "Newsday" newspaper in search of what they described as unlawfully-acquired information which led to a newspaper report on high-level conflict within the country's Integrity Commission.

Brazil

IFJ condemns killing of journalist in Barra do Piraí

“It bears all the hallmarks of a targeted killing and we believe that the murder of our colleague was linked to his professional work," says the IFJ.

Peru

Journalist attacked after reporting on police officers

Oscar David Rodríguez Martínez believes the attack is connected to his reports about a group of police officers who are being prosecuted for their alleged connection to criminal mafias.

Venezuela

TV programme goes off air after disagreements with station

Gustavo Azócar believes that the expiration of the station's broadcast license two years ago - and CONATEL's refusal to renew it - might have played a role in the decision.

Cuba

Blogger denied travel to Brazil

It was, according to the blogger, the 19th time Cuban officials have turned down her request to leave the island. As in the past, officials gave no reason for the rejection.

Ecuador

Local media team banned from covering referendum vote counting

Journalist Carlos Sosa questioned the officers’ decision saying they had discriminated against Telecosta and other Emeraldas’ media outlets to give preference to national media teams who were allowed to do their work unimpeded.

Ecuador

Fundamedios and AEDEP challenge constitutionality of amendments to Democracy Code

They requested the provisional suspension of the challenged regulations, arguing that allowing them to come into force would constitute an affront towards the provisions of the Constitution and international treaties concerning human rights currently in force in Ecuador.

United States

Accreditation disputes at center of journalists' arrests in U.S.

Across the country, police repeatedly refused to acknowledge as a journalist anyone who did not have what they considered to be official accreditation, leaving freelancers and new media journalists particularly vulnerable, CPJ reported.

Venezuela

Journalists attacked by men at funeral

Six men attacked a group of journalists seeking information pertaining to the killing of a 16-year old girl.

Ecuador

Fundamedios condemns million-dollar fines against journalists Calderón and Zurita

"We alert the international community to this attempt to silence Ecuadorian journalists. This sentence is no more than a warning of what can happen to those who dare to investigate and denounce cases of corruption during the exercise of power," says Fundamedios.

Venezuela

Journalists' Twitter accounts hacked after posting controversial photos

Alberto Rodríguez and Orian Brito posted images of armed children on their Twitter accounts and have, in the past, been critical of President Chávez.

Peru

Journalist harassed by police after publishing interview with subversive leader

After he published the interview, Carlos Infante said that the former defense minister accused him of belonging to Sendero Luminoso (a terrorist group) and using his position as a journalist to act as a sounding board for terrorism.

Brazil

News site threatened with multiple lawsuits

The suits have been moved by civil servants in the Senate who were exposed by Congresso em Foco as having received wages higher than the ceiling for their positions.

Peru

Radio presenter attacked after criticising mayor

Carlos Monja Timaná, presenter of the Radio Limón program "El Investigador", was attacked by two individuals, one of whom allegedly works for the Olmos district municipality.

Peru

Three journalists defamed and threatened after investigating regional president

The journalists told IPYS that after they published the reports, mass circulation emails were sent in which their reputations were damaged and they were accused of belonging to the terrorist group Sendero Luminoso.

Peru

After publishing document on wiretapping, journalists experience harassment and threats

IPYS condemns the harassment suffered by these journalists and demands that the authorities identify and sanction whoever is responsible for the threats against the ATV+ investigations team.

Ecuador

Government attempts to discredit journalist and his investigation

The government broadcast two videos aimed at discrediting journalist Fausto Yépez of Teleamazonas and his investigation into alleged spying operations by government departments.

Venezuela

Journalist briefly detained after covering oil spill

Giselle Almarza and cameraman Dali Gomez had travelled to La Rica in Monagas state, in response to a complaint by local farmers who claimed to have lost part of their harvest because of an oil spill.

Peru

Journalist receives death threat after reporting on local administration

Moisés Campos received the threat after reporting on the alleged embezzlement of funds by Mayor Corina De la Cruz's administration.

Americas

OAS adoption of working group proposals threatens independence of Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression

The working group recommendations had been aggressively pushed by Ecuador in particular, whose government appeared to have been angered by the Special Rapporteur’s criticism of its actions toward the media.

Ecuador

Television correspondents threatened by unidentified individuals

Hubel and Alcibiades Onofre attribute the threats to a news report that linked a woman accused of being the mastermind behind a triple murder to a member of the national assembly.

Ecuador

Fundamedios condemns decision against precautionary measures on Democracy Code veto

The new regulations in the code would come into force on 4 February 2012, introducing preemptive censorship to the contents of the media and journalistic coverage of the upcoming electoral campaign.

Argentina

Journalist attacked, injured by political activists in Santa Cruz

Mariano Martinez, a journalist at Radio FM Popular, was severely beaten and left unconscious by activists linked to the mayor of Los Antiguos.

Dominican Republic

Journalist receives six-month sentence and harsh fine in defamation case

The case came as a result of Johnny Alberto Salazar’s recent criticisms of a human rights committee, accusing it of protecting criminals and people linked to organized crime.

Venezuela

Globovisión news crew denied entry to swearing-in of defense minister

According to the Globovisión journalist, only state-owned, and therefore pro-Chávez media, were permitted to attend the ceremony.

Honduras

Another member of journalists' collective receives death threats

Gilda Silvestrucci, host of the "En la Plaza" programme on Radio Globo, was followed and received threatening phone calls.

Chile

Government scraps plan to force journalists to inform police

While a controversial section of the so-called "Hinzpeter Law" has been withdrawn, the bill is still in the hands of Congress.

Honduras

Peasants' rights activist assassinated in Colón

The director of the Vía Campesina organisation says Matías Valle's murder was an attack on freedom of expression.

Paraguay

Journalist targeted by drug traffickers may have to move abroad

Cándido Figueredo says he has no doubt who is behind the threats since he reported on the destruction of two underground routes used to smuggle drugs into Brazil and Bolivia.

Honduras

Lawyer shot to death after reporting on human rights violations

Rosales was killed three days after he reported to "Diario Tiempo" that police officers had assaulted and sexually harassed a group of youths.

United States

SOPA poses threat to free expression, says CJFE

The measures contained in the Stop Online Piracy Act pose a more direct threat to freedom of expression online than they do toward piracy, and its impact extends far beyond the borders of the United States.

Venezuela

Journalist threatened via Twitter

The hacker group "N33" claimed they would attack Luis Carlos Díaz because of his statements about cyber attacks.

Ecuador

President proposes restrictions to journalistic work during 2013 elections

The chief of state proposes prohibiting the media from broadcasting during the the 48 hours before the elections and until 5:00 pm on the day itself, "any kind of information issued by public institutions, as well as electoral propaganda, opinions or images."

Peru

Sentence against blogger overturned

The court decided that the convicting sentence had irremediable deficiencies caused by the lack of coherent and congruent arguments.

Ecuador

Government launches smear campaign against human rights organisations

A message by the Ministry of Culture invited employees to join a campaign against an alleged complaint presented by Fundamedios against Catalina Botero of the IACHR.

Mexico

Murdered journalist may have been mistaken for someone else

The journalist Raúl Régulo Garza Quirino, who was shot dead on 6 January, is believed to have been a victim of mistaken identity, according to the first results of the investigation into the killing.

Ecuador

Judicial police and prosecutor's office close down radio station, seize its equipment

The measure may be in reprisal for Perla Orense's critical stance against the local government and the administration of the Guabo mayor, a member of the governing party.

Honduras

Journalist who had participated in protest receives death threats

Itsmania Pineda Plateros is a member of a women journalists' collective and in December participated in a protest in front of the Presidential Palace that was suppressed by members of the presidential guard.

Paraguay

Growing impunity for alleged instigators of radio journalist's murder

The latest blow to the Merardo Romero murder case came on 31 December 2011 when one of the suspected instigators, local official Fidel Duarte, was released on bail.

Mexico

IAPA calls for prompt investigation into reporter's death in Nuevo León

Raúl Régulo Garza Quirino, a reporter with "La Última Palabra", was reportedly followed by armed men traveling in another vehicle.

Ecuador

National Court of Justice ratifies three-year prison sentence against Emilio Palacio

The Second Criminal Division rejected an appeal for review of the case submitted by Palacio, former opinion editor of the newspaper "El Universo".

Argentina

Canal 7 journalist and camera operator attacked

The team was investigating the alleged labour exploitation of 15 Bolivian workers, most of them children.