Dozens of journalists harassed, injured amid Peru protests
Bogotá, January 11, 2023 – In response to reports that more than 70 journalists have been harassed and attacked amid anti-government protests in Peru, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement calling for authorities to ensure reporters’ safety: “We are alarmed by the dozens of attacks on journalists in Peru covering anti-government protests,”…
Explosive detonated outside office of Peruvian TV station Cadena Sur
Bogotá, September 14, 2022 – Peruvian authorities must thoroughly investigate an explosive attack on the Cadena Sur TV station, bring those responsible to justice, and guarantee the safety of the station’s journalists, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. At around 4:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 13, two men on a motorcycle approached the entrance…
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….
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…
Supporters of Peruvian President Pedro Castillo assault 5 journalists covering protests
Bogotá, March 16, 2022 – Peruvian authorities must investigate the recent attacks on five journalists by supporters of President Pedro Castillo outside Peru’s Congress building and guarantee that the press can cover political demonstrations safely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. During a March 8 vote by Peru’s legislature to approve Castillo’s new cabinet,…
Peru legislators propose law criminalizing reporting based on leaked information
Miami, March 10, 2022 — Peru’s Congress should reject a bill that would criminalize reporting based on leaked information from informants cooperating in criminal investigations, as it would negatively impact journalists’ ability to operate, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. On February 23, the Commission of Justice and Human Rights unanimously approved a bill…
Peruvian journalist Gastón Medina receives death threat note, bullet at his outlet
Bogotá, March 2, 2022 – Peruvian authorities must thoroughly investigate a death threat against TV journalist Gastón Medina, bring those responsible to justice, and guarantee his safety, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On February 23, Medina, the owner and news director of the independent Cadena Sur television station in the southern city of…
Peruvian court convicts author, publication director on defamation charges for book on politician
Bogotá, January 13, 2022 – Peruvian authorities should not contest journalist Christopher Acosta and Penguin Random House Peru director Jerónimo Pimentel’s appeal of a recent criminal defamation conviction and should stop using criminal defamation laws against members of the press, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On January 10, a criminal court judge in…
Peruvian journalist receives threatening messages, demands to stop reporting on local officials
Bogotá, December 9, 2021 – Peruvian authorities must thoroughly investigate death threats against journalist Jairo Roque Gómez and hold the perpetrators to account, and local officials should refrain from using the country’s outdated defamation laws to threaten reporters, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On December 1, Roque, editor of the independent Diario Hechicera…
A press freedom crisis unfolds in Latin America
As the number of journalists imprisoned globally for their work climbs to record highs, cases of those behind bars in Latin America remained relatively low. A total of six – three in Cuba, two in Nicaragua and one in Brazil – were in custody for their work as of December 1, according to the Committee…