Nova York, 8 de julho de 2003 – O Comitê para a Proteção dos Jornalistas (CPJ) assiste alarmado às recentes ameaças contra os comunicadores guatemaltecos, assim como a invasão da residência de um repórter, durante a qual foram roubadas as notas de uma investigação jornalística. Estes incidentes são os mais recentes de uma onda de…
New York, July 8, 2003—The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is alarmed by recent threats against two Guatemalan journalists and by the burglary of a reporter’s house in which his notes for an investigative article were stolen. These incidents are the latest in a series of threats and violent attacks against Guatemalan journalists during the…
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.
Amid harassment and violence against journalists, human rights activists, and judges involved in high-profile cases, Guatemala’s political stability deteriorated considerably in 2001, and press freedom along with it. The administration of President Alfonso Portillo Cabrera, a member of the right-wing Guatemalan Republican Front (FRG), showed little tolerance for criticism of any kind.
New York, November 9, 2001—In a letter sent today to Guatemalan attorney general Adolfo González Rodas, CPJ expressed deep concern about the lack of progress in the investigation of the 1999 killing of Larry Lee, Guatemala correspondent for the financial wire service BridgeNews. While the motive for Lee’s killing is unknown, it is quite clear…