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.
The independent press faced pressure from the government of President Carlos Roberto Flores Facussé. Powerful politicians dominated the media during the November 2001 presidential elections, while small political parties received little coverage and had very limited access to the press. Both the National Party (PN) and the ruling Liberal Party (PL) flooded radio and TV…
THE HONDURAN PRESS CONTINUED ITS STRUGGLE to find an independent voice in the face of pressures from the executive and the judiciary. In April, when the Tegucigalpa daily El Heraldo published a report by the state Human Rights Commission denouncing corruption in the judiciary, Judge Rita Núñez called El Heraldo journalist Leonarda Andino to her…
Your Excellency, The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is deeply concerned for the safety of Julio César Pineda, coordinator of the press department of Radio Progreso in the town of El Progreso, near the northern city of San Pedro Sula. Pineda was seriously wounded in an attempt on his life three weeks ago.