Americas

  
A protester takes cover as police throw tear gas during protests in August over the impeachment of Dilma Rousseff. Journalists have been caught in the crossfire of Brazil's political unrest. (AP/Andre Penner)

In Brazil, journalists face injury from violent protests and accusations of bias

Felipe Souza was covering an anti-government protest in São Paulo earlier this month when a line of riot police advanced toward him.

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Roughly 1000 people gather to protest the construction of a pipeline near land reserved for Native Americans in the U.S. state of North Dakota, September 10, 2016. Authorities have issued a warrant for the arrest of broadcast journalist Amy Goodman on trespassing charges in connection with her coverage of the protest. (AP/James MacPherson)

Arrest warrant for muckraking U.S. journalist

New York, September 12, 2016 — Prosecutors in the U.S. state of North Dakota should immediately drop all criminal charges against broadcast journalist Amy Goodman, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Goodman, who hosts the global news program Democracy Now!, faces criminal trespass charges in connection with her reporting on protests against the construction…

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Cándido Figueredo, veteran border-beat reporter for Paraguay's largest newspaper, travels with armed bodyguards on the rare occasions that he leaves the safety of his home. (John Otis)

Police attempt to remove Paraguayan journalist’s security detail

New York, September 8, 2016–The Committee to Protect Journalists is concerned for the safety of Cándido Figueredo following an attempt by Paraguayan police to withdraw his security detail.

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Opposition supporters take part in a mass rally in Caracas, September 1, 2016 (AP/Ariana Cubillos)

Venezuelan journalist arrested after reporting on protest

Bogotá, Colombia, September 7, 2016–Venezuelan authorities should immediately release online and radio journalist Braulio Jatar Alonso, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Domestic intelligence officers detained Jatar on September 3, a day after he reported on an anti-government protest.

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Carmen Aristegui, pictured at a news conference in July, is being sued by MVS, the broadcaster she used to work for. Changes to a law on fines in civil cases is making journalists in Mexico vulnerable. (AFP/Alfredo Estrella)

Change to Mexican law leaves critical journalists at risk of steep fines

Sergio Aguayo, one of Mexico’s most prominent political commentators, said he was taken by surprise when he heard he was being sued for “moral damages.” The plaintiff, Humberto Moreira, is a former governor who faced allegations that he severely mishandled the state’s finances, was involved in graft and corruption, and had ties to organized crime.…

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Freelance journalist Lindsey Snell detained in Turkey after leaving Syria

New York, September 1, 2016–The Committee to Protect Journalists called on Turkish authorities today to release Lindsey Snell, an American freelance journalist who has been detained since August 7 after traveling to Turkey from Syria, where she said she had been filming.

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CPJ Newsletter: We fight back against defamation, highlight impunity in India, and host an exhibit on Shawkan’s works

September edition IOC creates mechanism for journalist complaints after CPJ consultation In early August, we welcomed the creation of a press freedom complaints mechanism by the International Olympic Committee. The move followed years of advocacy with the IOC by CPJ and other rights groups to do more to hold governments that host the Olympic Games…

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International journalists denied entry to Venezuela before September 1 protest

New York, August 31, 2016–Authorities in Venezuela denied entry to at least six journalists, including CPJ Andes correspondent John Otis, who were traveling to the country to cover a protest tomorrow demanding a recall referendum on President Nicolás Maduro. Authorities said the journalists did not have the proper documentation to enter the country to work,…

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The damaged offices of El Nacional. Homemade explosives and excrement were thrown at the paper's Caracas offices this week. (El Nacional)

Newspaper offices shot at and vandalized in Venezuela

New York, August 31, 2016–Authorities should investigate incidents of vandalism of Venezuelan newspaper offices and do everything in their power to ensure that journalists can work without fear of reprisal, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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In this 2014 file photo, a policeman walks next to graffiti from the Mara Salvatrucha criminal gang. If his recent conviction on defamation charges is upheld on appeal, TV reporter Ariel Armando D'Vicente faces three years in prison and a three-year ban on practicing journalism in connection with reports alleging police took bribes from gangs involved in smuggling. (AP/Esteban Felix)

Honduran reporter convicted of criminal defamation

Bogotá, Colombia, August 25, 2016 – Honduran prosecutors should cease pursuing criminal defamation charges against journalists, and lawmakers should swiftly repeal laws allowing for such prosecutions, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. If his recent conviction on defamation charges is upheld on appeal, TV reporter Ariel Armando D’Vicente faces three years in prison and…

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