"Journalist Lorena Beltrán, known for years of reporting alleged irregularities in the qualifications of doctors who are practicing as plastic surgeons without meeting the legal requirements, [...] is facing four tutela actions [a legal remedy for the immediate protection of fundamental rights in Colombia] filed by doctors who have been the subjects of her investigations.
[...]
Through the tutela actions, the doctors are seeking to have Beltrán remove content and rectify information about doctors who, according to her work, have been investigated and convicted. […] Although in some cases the rulings have been in favor of the journalist, [FLIP] recall[s] that judicial harassment is defined as repeatedly resorting to the judicial system as a form of intimidation against the journalist, forcing her to face several proceedings at the same time, for the same issue of public interest and with the same irregularities against her.
Furthermore, every time there is progress in the criminal proceedings against the accused doctors, Beltrán receives further threats and legal action against her, with the aim of silencing her voice and discrediting her work. This harassment has mainly consisted of harassment at her workplace, offensive and intimidating comments on social media and via email, in addition to the aforementioned legal actions."
