Reporters Without Borders (RSF) featured 14 journalists from Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Chile, Cuba, Guatemala, Honduras, Haiti and Peru in a list of 100 Information Heroes that the organization put together to highlight the work of journalists facing adverse circumstances around the globe and celebrate World Press Freedom Day, which takes place each year on May 3.
The organization said the list is not exhaustive and aims to honor every person who has fought to defend freedom of the press.
Threats, kidnappings, incarceration and police aggression are the main violations faced by journalists in the list. They hail from countries with democracies, authoritarian governments, or currently in conflict.
From Mexico, RSF mentioned journalists Lydia Cacho, for her stories on pedophilia and sexual exploitation; Anabel Hernández, who investigated public corruption and drug trafficking in her landmark book Narcoland; and Verónica Basurto, an independent journalist who went into exile in Spain after receiving threats for her investigations.
From Chile, RSF featured the case of Mireya Manquepillán, a member of the Mapuche people who promoted through pirate broadcasts in community radio station "Kimche Mapuche" the concession of 30 new radio licenses. Another Chilean in the list was María Pía Matta, who for more than 20 years has worked in strengthening communications between local communities through independent radio station "Radio Tierra."
RSF featured Cuban bloggers Ángel Santiesteban Prats, who is currently serving a five-year prison sentence for criticizing President Raúl Castro, and Yoani Sánchez, who has faced multiple attacks and judicial persecution for her criticisms of the Cuban government.
The organization also highlighted the work of Dina Meza in Honduras, who hosts the TV show "Voices Against Oblivion" and works as a web editor at "Defenders Online." It also included Itsmania Pineda Platero, founding member of the NGO Xibalba Arts and Culture, which specializes in working with youths currently in detention.
From Colombia, RSF mentioned journalist Claudia Duque, who despite having faced torture, harassment and threats from the country's Security Administrative Department, continues to report for digital radio station "Radio Nizkor."
Brazil's Lúcio Flávio Pinto, who currently faces 30 lawsuits for stories he has written, was also featured in the list for his coverage of drug trafficking, deforestation and corruption issues.
In Peru, RSF noted the work of Mabel Cáceres, founder of the weekly "El Búho," which often reports on the public corruption that has persisted in the country since the administration of former President Alberto Fujimori (1990-2000).
RSF also honored Ileana Alamilla from Guatemala. In 1983, while in exile, she founded the Center of Informative Reports of Guatemala (Cerigua) to report on crime and human rights abuses committed in the country.
Several other international organizations have launched their own campaigns to observe World Press Freedom Day, including UNESCO, the Inter American Press Society (IAPA), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Article 19, among others.
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.
