CPJ joins call for Brazilian authorities, electoral candidates to respect press freedom
The Committee to Protect Journalists joined 10 Brazilian and international civil society groups and press freedom organizations in a statement marking World Press Freedom Day on May 3, 2022, calling for Brazilian authorities and candidates in upcoming elections to respect the role of a free press and ensure journalists can work safely. The statement notes…
CPJ condemns additional trial delay for the alleged killers of Brazilian journalist Valério Luiz de Oliveira
Rio de Janeiro, May 2, 2022 – The Committee to Protect Journalists on Monday expressed disappointment in response to news reports that a court in Brazil again postponed the jury trial of five men charged with the 2012 murder of well-known Brazilian sports journalist Valério Luiz de Oliveira. The trial was delayed after the lawyers…
Peruvian President Castillo threatens 2 journalists with criminal defamation suit
On April 12, 2022, Peruvian President Pedro Castillo sent a notarized letter to Rosana Cueva, editor and host of the independent TV news magazine “Panorama,” and to José Ignacio Beteta, editor of the independent news website Vigilante, demanding a retraction of recent reporting, according to reports and Cueva, who spoke to CPJ via messaging app….
‘Um pesadelo que não acaba’: A luta de um filho, ao longo de uma década, na busca por justiça pelo assassinato do jornalista esportivo Valério Luiz de Oliveira
No dia 05 de julho de 2012, Valério Luiz de Oliveira Filho estava em casa esperando seu pai chegar para almoçar quando recebeu um telefonema de sua madrasta. “Vai pra rádio”, ela disse em prantos, segundo ele. “Seu pai tomou um tiro.” Seu pai, Valério Luiz de Oliveira, um conhecido jornalista esportivo na cidade de…
‘A never-ending nightmare’: A son’s decade-long fight for justice for murdered Brazilian sports journalist Valério Luiz de Oliveira
On July 5, 2012, Valério Luiz de Oliveira Filho was at home waiting for his father to arrive for lunch when he received a phone call from his stepmother. “Go to the broadcaster,” she told him through tears, he said. “Your father has been shot.” His father, Valério Luiz de Oliveira, a well-known sports journalist…
Protesters repeatedly surround home of Peruvian journalist Ketty Vela, throw rocks and shout insults over coverage
Bogotá, April 27, 2022 – Peruvian authorities must ensure that protesters who recently harassed journalist Ketty Vela are identified and held to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On April 21 and 23, groups of about 50 people surrounded the journalist’s home in the northern town of Tocache, shouted insults at Vela, who…
Cuban independent journalist Alberto Corzo assaulted after encounter with state security agents
Miami, April 8, 2022 – Cuban authorities should thoroughly investigate the recent attack on journalist Alberto Corzo and swiftly bring those responsible to justice, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On April 1, at approximately 10 a.m., two agents from the Department of State Security, commonly referred to as the political police, stopped Corzo…
How Venezuela’s government uses private internet providers to restrict access to the news
After seven years of painstakingly building up its audience, Crónica Uno, one of the only high-quality news websites that caters to poor and working-class Venezuelans, was recording up to 15,000 unique page views per day. But after private internet service providers (ISPs) teamed up with Venezuela’s authoritarian government in February to block Crónica Uno and…
New El Salvador law threatens up to 15 years in prison for reporting on gangs
New York, April 7, 2022 – El Salvador lawmakers should repeal new legislation that criminalizes reporting on gangs, and should allow the press to cover issues of public interest freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. “As journalists and press freedom organizations have feared, Salvadoran authorities are using the country’s state of emergency as…
Brazilian police called after journalists seek comment from British mining company
Rio de Janeiro, April 6, 2022 – The Brazil Iron mining company must respect journalists’ right to report on issues of public interest, and should not threaten members of the press with arrest, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On March 28, an employee of the Brazilian subsidiary of Britain’s Brazil Iron in the…