By Alejandro Martínez
Between January and April 2014, 47 attacks against journalists and media outlets took place across different cities in Peru, according to a recent report by the human rights office of Peru's National Association of Journalists (ANP). In average, a journalist was a victim of attacks, threats or judicial persecution once every four days.
The departments with the most attacks were Áncash, Tumbes, Ayacucho, Lambayeque and Loreto. The report documented 15 cases of threats and/or harassment, 14 physical aggressions, seven cases of judicial persecution, six obstructed journalistic investigations, two cases of censorship, two kidnappings and one robbery.
Most of the aggressions were committed by civilians, police officers, public officials and unknown individuals from the provinces where journalists investigate corruption cases related to their local governments. The ANP said this year could represent greater risks to journalists than prior ones since local elections will take place in several locations across the country.
The department of Áncash, where independent journalists are often targets of persecution and death threats, was of particular concern for the ANP. Political scientist Steven Levitsky recently said "press freedom doesn't exist" in Áncash. Ten journalists have been killed in the region since 2010, among them independent journalist Pedro Flores Silva, who was investigating accusations of corruption related to its beleaguered mayor César Álvarez.
Among the most serious incidents this year was the case of Rudy Huallpa Cayo, in the southeastern city of Puno. The journalist lost his vision on his left eye after a police officer shot him with a rubber bullet on April 1 during what was supposed to be a pacific protest in the city of Ayaviri. Huallpa was visibly wearing his credentials and a press vest.
The most recent attack was against journalist Yofré López Sifuentes in the province of Barranca on April 22. A bomb was detonated in front of his home, injuring his parents, who were inside the building. López had reported about alleged acts of corruption – irregular purchases made with public funds - that involved the administration of the province's current mayor.
Media outlets were also targets for aggressions. Independent radio station Estación Wari, which opposes the current regional government of the department of Ayacucho, was once again intervened by public officials this year.
Last year the ANP registered 131 aggressions against journalists across the country and highlighted its concerns over the climate of repression and lack of freedom of information in Áncash and Ayacucho, where journalists continue to be victimized by regional authorities.
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.
