Prezado Sr. Cortez: O Comitê para a Proteção dos Jornalistas (CPJ, por sua sigla em inglês) envia a presente para condenar as recentes ameaças e ataques violentos aos jornalistas guatemaltecos. Considerando que as eleições presidenciais e legislativas estão fixadas para o dia 9 de novembro, nos preocupa que estes incidentes possam se multiplicar e, com isso, aumentar a autocensura no meio jornalístico e evitar que os guatemaltecos participem de um debate político aberto e positivo.
Dear Mr. Cortez: The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is writing to condemn a series of recent threats and violent attacks against Guatemalan journalists. With presidential and legislative elections scheduled for November 9, we are concerned that these incidents could multiply, increasing self-censorship among journalists and preventing Guatemalans from engaging in an open and meaningful political debate.
Economic and political turmoil throughout Latin America in 2002 had profound implications for the region’s press. Sharp decreases in advertising revenue bankrupted many media outlets, while the failure to consolidate democratic reforms left the media vulnerable to legal and physical assault. Five journalists were killed in Latin America in 2002 for their work.
The U.S. government took aggressive measures in 2002 to shield some of its activities from press scrutiny. These steps not only reduced access for U.S. reporters but had a global ripple effect, with autocratic leaders citing U.S. government actions to justify repressive policies.