Americas

2019

  
A vigil for journalist Lasantha Wickramatunga is seen in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on January 15, 2009. A U.S. court recently dismissed a civil suit against former Secretary of Defense Gotabaya Rajapaksa over his alleged involvement in the killing. (Reuters/Buddhika Weerasinghe)

US court dismisses suit against former Sri Lankan defense secretary over murder of Sri Lankan journalist Wickramatunga

New York, October 22, 2019 — The Committee to Protect Journalists is dismayed by a U.S. District Court’s decision to dismiss a civil lawsuit against former Sri Lankan Secretary of Defense Gotabaya Rajapaksa over his alleged involvement in the 2009 killing of Sri Lankan journalist Lasantha Wickramatunga.

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Demonstrators are seen in Quito, Ecuador, on October 12, 2019. Amid the demonstrations, an unidentified group recently attacked the offices of two news outlets in the city. (Reuters/Ivan Alvarado)

Unidentified groups attack news outlets amid protests in Ecuador

New York, October 13, 2019 — The Committee to Protect Journalists today condemned attacks by unidentified individuals on news outlets in Ecuador.

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A boy looks on as protesters demand the resignation of President Jovenel Moïse in Port-au-Prince, on October 4. A radio journalist who had been critical of the unrest and who was threatened over his reporting, was killed Mirebalais in October. (AFP/Chandan Khanna)

Radio Panic FM journalist found dead in Haiti following threats

Miami, October 11, 2019—Haitian authorities should conduct a swift and comprehensive investigation into the killing of radio journalist Néhémie Joseph and ensure those responsible are brought to justice, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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Bolivian journalist Amalia Pando is seen in her makeshift office; she was formerly a ubiquitous presence on Bolivian radio and TV. (CPJ/John Otis)

Forced out of jobs and sidelined, Bolivia’s independent journalists see their audience slipping away

Amalia Pando was once a ubiquitous presence on Bolivian radio and TV, hosting some of the country’s most popular news and political commentary programs. At age 66, she’s still at it, but her audience is a sliver of what it once was.

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Demonstrators clash with riot police in Quito, as thousands march against Ecuadoran President Lenin Moreno's decision to slash fuel subsidies, on October 9, 2019. Both the authorities and protesters have targeted the press amid the protests. (AFP/Rodrigo Buendia)

Authorities and protesters target the press amid protests in Ecuador

Miami, October 9, 2019—The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on both the authorities and demonstrators in Ecuador to stop harassing and attacking journalists covering ongoing protests.

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Ciudad Juarez in Mexico is pictured nestled against El Paso, Texas. A member of a National Geographic crew was shot in the leg when gunmen attacked a residence where the group was interviewing an alleged gang member. (Paul Ratje/AFP)

National Geographic reporter wounded in shootout in Mexico’s Ciudad Juárez

Mexico City, October 8, 2019 – Mexican authorities must immediately undertake a credible and transparent investigation into the October 4 gun attack on a residence in Ciudad Juárez, in the northern Mexican state of Chihuahua, during which a reporter for National Geographic was shot in the leg, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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Colombian journalist Daniel Coronell. (Mario Alzate)

CPJ joins statement of concern over safety of Colombian journalist Daniel Coronell

The Committee to Protect Journalists joined the Fundación para la Libertad de Prensa (FLIP), a Colombian press freedom organization, in issuing a statement on October 4 expressing concern for the safety of journalist Daniel Coronell.

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Police officers are seen in Quito, Ecuador, on October 3, 2019. Police officers recently attacked a group of journalists covering a protest in Quito. (Reuters/Daniel Tapia)

Police attack journalists covering protests in Ecuador

Miami, October 4, 2019 — Ecuadoran authorities should ensure that journalists can cover protests safely, and should hold police officers who assault journalists to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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Sandra Maribel Sanchez is seen in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, on August 29, 2012. In September, an attacker held a gun to the journalist's head. (AFP/Orlando Sierra)

In Honduras, attacker holds gun to head of Radio Progreso anchor Sánchez

Miami, October 3, 2019 —Honduran authorities must immediately investigate an attack on journalist Sandra Maribel Sánchez and guarantee the safety of the press in the country, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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A police officer is seen in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on September 30, 2019. Police that day shot journalist Edmond Agenor Joseph in Port-au-Prince. (Reuters/Andres Martinez Casares)

Journalist Edmond Agenor Joseph shot by police in Haiti while covering protests

Miami, October 1, 2019 — Haitian authorities should conduct a prompt and thorough investigation into the shooting of journalist Edmond Agenor Joseph, hold those responsible to account, and ensure the protection of journalists covering protests, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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2019