The Argentine Journalism Forum (FOPEA in Spanish) denounced a series of attacks and anonymous threats against a journalist in southern Argentina, reported Diario Uno. Mario Sánchez, radio reporter and a board member for the press union in Neuquén in the Patagonia region of Argentina, recently was robbed and his house set on fire, explained El Diario de la Roja. Then, a few days later, the reporter received intimidating phone calls and a death threat, the newspaper added.
Sanchez filed a police report, and authorities adopted security measures to prevent another attack against the journalist, according to Neuquén Portal. Meanwhile, FOPEA called for an investigation into the case.
The governor of Neuquén, Jorge Sapag, sided with the journalist, saying the attacks on Sanchez were an attack against "freedom of expression" and the free exercise of journalism, according to La Mañana Neuquén.
After the burglary and fire at the journalist's house in the community of Centenario in Neuquén, Sánchez said police had commented that it was unusual for a house to be set on fire after a burglary, which points to a motive other than burglary for the crime, reported ríonegro.com.ar,.
Sánchez has worked for more than 10 years at the local radio station Sayhueque (88.7mhz), and he is the correspondent in Centenario for radio AM LU5 in Neuquén.
Note from the editor: This story was originally published by the Knight Center’s blog Journalism in the Americas, the predecessor of LatAm Journalism Review.
