Héctor Francisco Medina Polanco

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Provincial television journalist Medina was shot around
7:30 p.m. on May 10 outside his home in Morazán in the northern department of
Yoro. He died the next day from related complications at a municipal hospital
in San Pedro Sula.

The journalist, who produced and hosted the “TV9” news
program for the local cable company Omega Visión, was on his motorcycle
returning home from work when he was shot in the arm and the back by two unidentified
assailants on a motorcycle who had been following him, according to CPJ
interviews and press reports.

According to the Tegucigalpa-based El Heraldo,
Medina had reported on corruption in the local mayor’s office and on regional
land disputes. The journalist’s brother, Carlos, told CPJ that Medina had been
threatened several times in the previous six months. El Heraldo said the
journalist had reported threats to the local authorities.

Medina also worked for a government education project, his
brother said.