CPJ calls on Colombian security forces to ensure safety of journalists covering demonstrations
New York, May 5, 2021 — The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on Colombian security forces to ensure that journalists can freely and safely cover demonstrations across the country. “We are deeply concerned by widespread reports of human rights abuses by Colombian security forces responding to protests, including dozens of reported press freedom violations,”…
Colombian journalist Luis Carlos Ayala survives shooting
Bogotá, April 26, 2021 – Colombian authorities must thoroughly investigate the shooting of journalist Luis Carlos Ayala and hold the perpetrators to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. At about 8:30 p.m. on April 20, an unidentified man aboard a motorcycle shot and slightly injured Ayala, who works as a freelance photojournalist and…
Journalist Jeremy McDermott faces new criminal defamation suit in Colombia
Bogotá, April 21, 2021 – Colombian authorities should dismiss a criminal defamation lawsuit against investigative journalist Jeremy McDermott, and Colombia should reform its defamation laws to align with international standards, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On April 6, the national attorney general’s office notified McDermott, a British national and the co-director and legal…
Colombian Supreme Court confirms defamation conviction of journalist Vicky Dávila, RCN
Miami, April 7, 2021 — In response to a recent decision by the Labor Cassation Chamber of the Colombian Supreme Court confirming the defamation conviction of journalist Vicky Dávila Hoyos and media outlet RCN, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “It is troubling that the Colombian Supreme Court confirmed the damages imposed…
CPJ condemns Colombian government’s move to leave Inter-American Court hearing on Jineth Bedoya case
New York, March 16, 2021 — The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on the Colombian government to return to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights hearing on the case of Colombian journalist Jineth Bedoya and to uphold its obligations to ensure justice in cases of violence to journalists. Colombian representatives withdrew in protest yesterday…
Inter-American Commission on Human Rights orders Colombia to protect journalist Ricardo Calderón
New York, January 20, 2021 — The Committee to Protect Journalists today welcomed the decision by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to grant precautionary measures to Colombian investigative journalist Ricardo Calderón Villegas, and called on Colombian authorities to take immediate action to ensure his safety. Yesterday, the commission made public a resolution, dated January…
Colombian journalist Andrés Felipe Guevara shot and killed
Bogotá, January 8, 2021 — Colombian authorities must thoroughly investigate the killing of journalist Andrés Felipe Guevara Henao, determine if he was targeted for his work, and bring those responsible to justice, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On December 21, 2020, in the western city of Cali, an unidentified assailant shot Guevara four…
Colombian TV station employees flee country amid threats from FARC militants
Bogotá, Colombia, December 7, 2020 – Colombian authorities should thoroughly investigate death threats received by Caracol TV employees and ensure they can work freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On November 16, Arlex Piedrahita, a camera operator with the news broadcaster Caracol TV, fled to the United States with his family after he…
Judge orders Colombian outlet Semana TV to remove content, orders investigation
On September 28, 2020, a Colombian judge ordered online broadcaster Semana TV to take down an episode of one of its news programs, and ordered an investigation into how two of the station’s journalists obtained confidential information aired in that episode, according to news reports. The court order, which was made public on October 6…
Colombia court’s ruling in Vicky Dávila, RCN defamation case sets dangerous precedent for investigative reporting
Bogotá, October 29, 2020 – The Committee to Protect Journalists today condemned a Colombian appellate court’s decision ordering journalist Vicky Dávila Hoyos and media outlet RCN to pay damages for reports broadcast in 2014 on alleged police corruption. On October 15, a Bogotá appellate court ordered Dávila, one of Colombia’s best-known journalists, and the private…