Journalists at Radio Victoria in El Salvador received new death threats from an “extermination group” that has targeted the broadcaster since 2006, Prensa de Frente reports.
The community station, based in the central department of Cabañas, is known for its open opposition to several mining projects in the region and already receives police protection in response to previous incidents. In 2009, two environmentalists attached to the station were killed. In February, the county’s human rights ombudsman called on the authorities to respond to continued threats the station received for its role in the mining conflict.
The newest threats came via a letter on April 30, text messages on May 2, and on their cell phones May 4, the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC) reports via IFEX.
“Once and for all, we want answers. Because we have no peace,” said Radio Victoria journalist Manuel Navarrete, quoted by La Prensa Gráfica. According to the journalist, he and his colleagues will be forced to leave Cabañas to avoid being killed.
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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.
