Americas
2006
Three journalists convicted of criminal defamation
JULY 27, 2006 Posted August 8, 2006 Anaylis Cañizales, “Los dueños del circo” Enrique Crespo, “Los dueños del circo” Alí David Demey, “Los dueños del circo” LEGAL ACTION A Santo Domingo judge found Cañizales, Crespo, and Demey guilty of criminal defamation, after charges were brought in June by the Association of Art Reporters (Acroarte). The…
CPJ calls for probe into death threats against Bucaramanga editor
New York, July 25, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on Colombian authorities to fully investigate death threats against a provincial journalist who criticized a local mayor. Marcos Perales Mendoza, editor of the weekly regional newspaper Portada in the northeastern city of Bucaramanga, has already been given a bulletproof vest, and a two-way police…
Gunmen attack university radio station
New York, July 24, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns an attack by gunmen on a university radio station in Oaxaca, southeast Mexico, which has backed efforts to oust the local state governor. At least 10 men in ski masks sprayed bullets at Radio Universidad on the evening of July 22 as it was on…
Justice official tells CPJ that government opposes press restrictions
New York, July 20, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists is encouraged by a letter from Costa Rica’s top justice official stressing her government’s opposition to newly proposed press restrictions. On June 8, CPJ sent a letter to Costa Rican President Oscar Arias expressing concern about a May 3 decision by the Costa Rican Constitutional Court…
Independent journalist held for a year may be charged
New York, July 20, 2006—After a year in detention without trial, Cuban journalist Oscar Mario González Pérez could soon be charged with causing public disorder, his lawyer has told the family. González, a reporter for the independent news agency Grupo de Trabajo Decoro, was arrested on July 22, 2005 after he left his home in…
Death threats against journalist after drug trafficking report
New York, July 18, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists urges authorities in Paraguay to investigate death threats against a journalist covering drug trafficking in an area where another journalist disappeared more than five months ago. Luis Alcides Ruiz Díaz of the weekly Hechos received an anonymous text message Saturday warning him about his reporting, the…
Salvadoran journalists attacked during street protests
New York, July 14, 2006—At least 14 Salvadoran reporters and photographers were attacked or harassed during three days of violent street protests last week in the capital, San Salvador, according to interviews and research by the Committee to Protect Journalists. CPJ today condemned the assaults and urged a thorough investigation.
In Mexico, reporter missing since Saturday
New York, July 11, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists is concerned about the fate of Mexican journalist Rafael Ortiz Martínez, who has been missing since Saturday morning. CPJ is investigating whether the disappearance is related to his work. Ortiz, a reporter for the Monclova-based daily Zócalo and host of the morning news program “Radio Zócalo”…
