The team of the independent news outlet Reportar Sin Miedo, from Honduras, denounced on Aug. 11 that they have been victims of attacks and threats on social media after the publication of the series of stories "Los Secretos de Próspera," which exposes information about Honduras' project of special administrative divisions known as ZEDE [Employment and Economic Development Zones, by its acronym in Spanish].
Through a statement, the organization especially denounced the threats and smear campaigns by Massimo Mazzone, shareholder of one of the ZEDEs, and by people close to its investors.
"[...] They have denigrated Reportar Sin Miedo and incited hatred against the members of the news outlet who conducted the investigation. With their comments and insults, they have endangered the lives of many of the people related to more than two years of investigation for the series," the organization said in the statement. "We condemn hate attacks under all circumstances, since they incite hateful people to commit acts that endanger the country's journalists and territory defenders."
Reportar Sin Miedo denounced that one of the journalists who collaborated on the series was kidnapped for several hours and had his computer and cell phone taken from him. Also, other team members of the team have suffered digital attacks, surveillance, and have been photographed.
