26 April 2004

Alert

CPJ investigating whether journalist's murder was related to his journalistic work


Incident details

Alberto Rivera Fernández

journalist(s)

killed

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(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 23 April 2004 CPJ press release:

PERU: Journalist killed by unidentified gunman

New York, April 23, 2004 - An unidentified gunman killed Alberto Rivera Fernández, the host of a radio show and a political activist, in Peru's eastern Ucayali Department, on Wednesday, April 21. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is investigating whether the murder was related to Rivera's journalistic work.

Rivera, 54, hosted the morning show "Transparencia" (Transparency), broadcast daily on Frecuencia Oriental radio station, in the city of Pucallpa. In addition to being a journalist, he served as the president of a local journalists' association and owned a glass store.

According to local press reports, Rivera was murdered at about 1:30 p.m. while he was at his office in the glass store. Two unidentified individuals entered the store and one of them pulled out a gun and shot Rivera twice in the chest and shoulder. There was no sign of robbery, said CPJ sources. Rivera died of his wounds before he could be taken to hospital.

A former parliamentary deputy for the Frente Democrático (Democratic Front), Rivera was an outspoken and controversial radio commentator known for his sharp criticism of local and regional authorities. On January 13, Rivera participated in a demonstration organized by squatters against local authorities in the province of Coronel Portillo. The protesters damaged the local council building and Mayor Luis Valdez Villacorta filed a lawsuit against some of them, including Rivera, for property damages, said CPJ sources. Rivera had accused the mayor of corruption in the sale of land occupied by squatters.

Local authorities have not made any comments on the possible motives of his murder.

"We urge Peruvian authorities to thoroughly investigate the murder of Alberto Rivera Fernández and bring those responsible to justice," said CPJ Executive Director Ann Cooper.

For more information about press freedom conditions in Peru, visit http://www.cpj.org. CPJ is a New York-based, independent, nonprofit organization that works to safeguard press freedom around the world.



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More on this case

Court acquits alleged masterminds of journalist's murder 14 May 2012 Supreme Court overturns acquittal of former mayor implicated in journalist's murder 3 February 2011 Ruling acquits alleged masterminds of journalist's murder 11 February 2010 Disciplinary proceedings initiated against four judges for mishandling trial that absolved suspected masterminds of journalist's murder 20 December 2007 Plot to kill witness in journalist's murder case uncovered 22 November 2006 Judge rescinds arrest orders for mayor and municipal councillor in radio presenter's murder 12 April 2006 Arrest warrant issued for mayor and former court official accused of journalist's murder 7 April 2006 IAPA pleased with sentencing of journalist's murderers 13 February 2006 Two municipal employees arrested in connection with journalist's murder 8 June 2004 IAPA asks attorney general to investigate complaints about handling of murdered journalist's case 31 May 2004 Journalist killed in Ucayali 22 April 2004

At a glance

Peru
Peru
 
Key reports and information
  • Midyear Meeting Report 2012: Peru

    Journalists attacked for revealing that "police had been extorting smugglers and drug traffickers who operate in the border area between Peru and Bolivia"

    Inter American Press Association 23 April 2012

  • Press Freedom Index 2011-2012: Peru

    "Peru, notorious for the frequency of attacks on the press"

    Reporters Without Borders 26 January 2012

  • World Report 2012: Peru

    Government introduces legislation to decriminalise defamation

    Human Rights Watch 23 January 2012

 
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