Colombia’s Indigenous ‘communicators’ face special challenges reporting for their communities
Mabel Quinto Salas is a reporter for Radio Pa’yumat, a station in the Northern Cauca region of Colombia. But she doesn’t identify as a journalist. Instead, she calls herself a “community communicator,” a category that is common among Colombia’s Indigenous communities. “Communication is seen as a tool for visibility, for denunciation of human rights violations, but also for…
Armed men attack car, bodyguard of Colombian journalist Julián Martínez
Bogotá, February 28, 2022 – Colombian authorities must thoroughly investigate an armed attack on the vehicle and bodyguard of investigative journalist Julián Martínez, determine if the reporter was targeted for his work, and bring those responsible to justice, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. At about 11 p.m. on February 22, two men with…
Colombian legislature passes anti-corruption bill that threatens press freedom
Miami, December 10, 2021 – Colombian President Iván Duque should veto a portion of the anti-corruption bill recently passed by the country’s legislature that threatens press freedom, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On December 6, the Colombian Chamber of Representatives passed Bill 369, the “Anti-Corruption Bill,” which includes an article that could be…
A press freedom crisis unfolds in Latin America
As the number of journalists imprisoned globally for their work climbs to record highs, cases of those behind bars in Latin America remained relatively low. A total of six – three in Cuba, two in Nicaragua and one in Brazil – were in custody for their work as of December 1, according to the Committee…
Inter-American Court of Human Rights finds Colombia responsible in Jineth Bedoya case
New York, October 18, 2021 — The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomed today’s announcement by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights that it ruled the Colombian state responsible for the abduction, rape, and torture of journalist Jineth Bedoya Lima in 2000 and ordered the Colombian government to investigate, prosecute, and punish those responsible and protect…
Colombian journalist Marcos Efraín Montalvo shot and killed
Bogotá, September 28, 2021 – Colombian authorities must thoroughly investigate the killing of journalist Marcos Efraín Montalvo, determine if he was targeted for his work, and bring those responsible to justice, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On September 19, in the western city of Tuluá, an unidentified man with a pistol entered a…
Colombian riot police beat 2 RCN Radio journalists documenting police violence
Bogotá, July 1, 2021 – Colombian authorities must conduct a full investigation into police officers’ use of force against journalists covering recent protests, and ensure that security forces allow the press to work safely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On June 29, Colombian police officers assaulted Katy Sánchez, a reporter, and Alexandra Molina,…
Colombian journalist Pincen Mora survives shooting attempt at home in Medellín
Bogotá, June 16, 2021 – Colombian authorities should thoroughly investigate the attempted shooting of journalist Pincen Mora, hold the perpetrators to account, and guarantee his safety, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On June 8, at about 5 p.m., a group of eight unidentified men on motorcycles stopped at the home and office of Mora,…
CPJ Safety Advisory: Covering mass protests in Colombia
Violent and deadly protests have flared in urban centers across Colombia since April 28, 2021, including Bogotá, the capital, as well as Cali, Medellín, Pereira, Bucaramanga, Ibagué, Zipaquirá, and Buenaventura, according to news reports. Initially sparked by President Iván Duque’s proposed tax reforms–which were later dropped–protests have since morphed into a wider movement against poverty,…
CPJ, partners call on Colombian authorities to address press freedom violations in protest response
The Committee to Protect Journalists, Reporters Without Borders (RSF), and IFEX-ALC–which includes 24 member organizations across Latin America–yesterday sent a letter to Colombian President Iván Duque and three other high-ranking Colombian officials urging them to investigate press freedom violations committed by state security forces responding to protests and guarantee Colombians’ rights to access information and…