Haiti joins list of countries where killers of journalists most likely to go unpunished
By Arlene Getz/CPJ Editorial Director The persistent lack of justice for murdered reporters is a major threat to press freedom. Ten years after the United Nations declared an international day to end impunity for crimes against journalists – and more than 30 years after CPJ began documenting these killings – almost 80% of their killings…
Journalist kidnappings rise in Haiti as violence spikes
At least six journalists have been kidnapped and released in Haiti over the past eight months as gangs have grown in strength since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, with the groups forming alliances and calling for the armed overthrow of the government. Since February, CPJ has documented the murder of one journalist, several reporters forced to flee their…
Haitian rum manufacturer sues AyiboPost, editor-in-chief for criminal defamation
Miami, October 6, 2023—The Committee to Protect Journalists is concerned about the criminal defamation suit filed by the owner of the rum company Rhum Barbancourt against the independent news website AyiboPost and its editor-in-chief, Widlore Mérancourt, and calls on Haitian authorities to repeal the country’s punitive criminal defamation laws, the organization said Friday. On September…
Reporters in Haiti flee gang violence surge in capital’s Carrefour Feuilles neighborhood
Miami, September 6, 2023—The Committee to Protect Journalists on Wednesday expressed grave concern that the rapidly deteriorating situation in Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince could put journalists at greater risk than other civilians if they are singled out for their work documenting the situation on the ground. CPJ has learned that at least five reporters have fled…
Haitian radio journalist’s home destroyed in arson attack
Miami, August 31, 2023—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the August 23 arson attack on the home of radio reporter Arnold Junior Pierre and calls on Haitian authorities to restore order to the country so journalists can do their jobs without fear of retaliation. On August 23, unidentified armed individuals set fire to Pierre’s home…
Haitian radio commentator Brown Larose shot in Port-au-Prince
New York, August 16, 2023—Haitian authorities must investigate the recent shooting of radio commentator Brown Larose and take steps to ensure that journalists can work freely in the country, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. At about 6:30 p.m. on August 11, an unidentified man wearing a police uniform shot Larose six times outside…
Haitian broadcaster Radio Antarctique burned down in gang attack
New York, July 28, 2023—Haitian law enforcement must thoroughly investigate the July 23 arson attack on independent local station Radio Antarctique and ensure that journalists can work without fear of reprisal, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. Around 6 a.m. on Sunday, July 23, about 50 heavily armed men with assault-style rifles attacked the…
Haitian radio reporter Blondine Tanis kidnapped amid wave of abductions
New York, July 26, 2023—Those holding Haitian journalist Blondine Tanis must release her immediately and Haitian authorities must work to establish safe working conditions for journalists in the country, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. Unidentified people kidnapped Tanis, a host on the local broadcaster Radio Renovation FM, on the afternoon of July 21…
Haitian television station owner disappears days after brief abduction of his journalist wife
New York, June 22, 2023—The Committee to Protect Journalists on Thursday called on Haitian authorities to investigate the reported kidnapping of Pierre-Louis Opont, the president of Haiti’s independent Télé Pluriel channel 44, and the brief abduction of his journalist wife Marie Lucie Bonhomme. The disappearance of Opont on Tuesday, June 20, came days after Bonhomme,…
Radio journalist Dumesky Kersaint shot and killed in Haiti
New York, April 27, 2023—Haitian authorities must thoroughly investigate the killing of journalist Dumesky Kersaint, determine if he was killed in connection with his work, and bring those responsible to justice, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. Between the evening of April 15 and the morning of April 16, Kersaint was shot and killed…