Americas

  
A checkpoint controlled by the community police in Cheran, Michoacán state, in December 2019. The body of journalist who was reported missing in the Mexican state was found in January. (AFP/Pedro Pardo)

Missing radio anchor found dead in Mexico’s Michoacán state

Mexico City, January 13, 2020—The Committee to Protect Journalists today urged Mexican authorities to open a credible and transparent investigation into the death of reporter Fidel Ávila Góme, whose body was found on January 7 near the state borders of Michoacán and Guerrero.

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The front page of the January 11, 2020, issue of Semana, pictured, alleged a widespread military campaign of espionage against the magazine. (Photo by CPJ)

Colombian magazine Semana alleges military spied on its journalists

Bogotá, January 13, 2020 – Colombian authorities must undertake an in-depth and transparent investigation into allegations that the military illegally spied on journalists, and ensure those responsible are brought to justice, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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Police officers are seen in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on January 7, 2020. Amid recent protests, police have detained and attacked journalists. (Reuters/Amanda Perobelli)

Police beat, detain journalists covering protests in São Paulo

Rio de Janeiro, January 10, 2020 — Brazilian authorities must promptly investigate alleged police harassment and attacks against journalists covering protests in São Paulo, and ensure that reporters can safely cover demonstrations, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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A mosaic of late leader Hugo Chavez and President Nicolas Maduro is seen in Caracas, Venezuela, on December 19, 2019. Venezuelan authorities recently released freelance photojournalist Jesús Medina after 16 months of detention. (AP/Matias Delacroix)

Venezuelan photojournalist Jesús Medina released after 16 months in prison

New York, January 7, 2020 — The Committee to Protect Journalists today welcomed the release of Venezuelan freelance photojournalist Jesús Medina after more than 16 months of arbitrary detention, and called for Venezuelan authorities to drop all charges against him.

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The wreck of the World Trade Center after the 9/11 terror attack in New York. Journalists who developed health issues after reporting from Ground Zero can seek support from several programs. (Reuters/Peter Morgan)

For journalists with health issues from covering 9/11, support is available

Like the first responders who rushed to the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, thoughts of personal safety were far from the minds of the journalists who covered the largest terror attack on U.S. soil.

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Road Town, in the British Virgin Islands, is seen on April 3, 2009. The territory's legislature recently passed a bill that imposes harsh penalties for online defamation. (AP/Todd VanSickle)

British Virgin Islands law to impose fines, jail terms for online defamation

Miami, December 23, 2019 — British Virgin Islands Governor Augustus Jaspert should reject cybercrime legislation recently approved by the territory’s legislature, or require revisions to the bill to protect press freedom, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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Police officers are seen in front of a burning barricade in Valparaiso, Chile, on November 26, 2019. The Valparaiso headquarters of Chilean daily El Lider were vandalized and burned by protesters on November 26. (Reuters/Goran Tomasevic)

Headquarters of Chilean daily El Líder damaged in arson attack by protesters

On November 26, 2019, at around 8 p.m., unidentified demonstrators broke into the headquarters of Chilean newspaper El Líder, in the commune of San Antonio, Valparaíso, started fires, and vandalized the newspaper’s offices, according to news reports and a statement from the National Press Association, an independent association of Chilean media outlets.

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The Dropbox logo is seen in an illustration photo from July 28, 2017. The City of Fullerton, California, says two journalists violated computer crimes laws by accessing files hosted in a Dropbox folder without permission. (Reuters/Thomas White)

Fullerton journalists sued for “hacking” city’s open Dropbox folder

In a complaint filed in the California Superior Court of Orange County on October 24, 2019, the City of Fullerton, California accused a community blog and two contributors of violating anti-hacking laws for accessing confidential files city employees posted online, according to their lawyer Kelly Aviles and court documents reviewed by CPJ. Aviles told CPJ…

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Brazil's supreme court is seen in Brasilia on April 23, 2019. A judge in Goiás state recently delayed the trial of a journalist's murder because he said he had inadequate facilities. (Reuters/Adriano Machado)

Judge delays trial in 2012 killing of Brazilian radio journalist, citing lack of resources

Rio de Janeiro, December 20, 2019 — Brazilian authorities must quickly resume the trial of the alleged killers of radio journalist Valério Luiz de Oliveira and ensure that justice is served without further delays, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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A group of Venezuelan SEBIN security forces are seen in Caracas on May 16, 2018. SEBIN agents recently shut down two news outlets in a money laundering investigation. (AP/Fernando Llano)

Venezuelan intelligence services raid, shutter news outlets Venepress and Telecaribe

Bogotá, December 20, 2019 — Venezuelan authorities must immediately allow local news outlets Telecaribe and Venepress to resume their work informing the public and cease their harassment of independent media, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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