Mexican journalist and researcher Sergio Aguayo received the first of two psychological evaluations ordered by the judge in a case against him, after being sued by the former governor of the state of Coahuila de Zaragoza, Humberto Moreira.
Journalists who make justifications for hate or incite terrorism publicly or through media could receive punishments of between four and eight years in prison, according to a recent reform to the antiterrorism law approved by the National Congress of Honduras.
Cuban journalist Henry Constantín Ferreiro has been accused of the crime of enemy propaganda after being arrested on his way to cover a ceremony in remembrance of a late opposition politician, according to the Inter American Press Association (IAPA).
Although the number of murders of Brazilian journalists has dropped to only two cases in 2016, violations against the press have manifested in other ways. The annual report from the Brazilian Association of Radio and Television Broadcasters (Abert) reported that, compared to 2015, last year saw a 65.5 percent increase in cases of violations to freedom of expression.
In Honduras, journalist Jairo López accused the president of the National Congress, Mauricio Oliva, of organizing a smear campaign against him through social networks, Tiempo Digital reported.
Just days before Ecuador elects a new president, journalist Janet Hinostroza received an explosive device at her workplace.
Journalist Leandro Stoliar of Rede Record, who was detained in Venezuela while reporting on allegations of corruption, said he was treated "as a prisoner, a criminal" during the 30 hours he was detained. Stoliar said the press is not free to work in the country, where "information is a crime."
Although figures on deadly violence against journalists in Colombia continue to decrease – for example, 2016 was the first year of the last seven in which there were no murders of journalists because of their work – the forms of censorship have “mutated” and are far from being overcome in Colombia.
With the goal of preventing misinformation, Jaime Rodríguez Calderón, Mexican governor of the northern state of Nuevo León, said he would ask local lawmakers for a law that would force journalists to reveal their sources, according to Proceso.
With the aim of improving the conditions for the exercise of freedom of expression in Ecuador in the coming years, civil society organizations created a document that establishes the way to achieve this with the commitment of political actors and citizens.
Accompanied by her children, friends and supporter, Verónica Saráuz, wife of Ecuadorian journalist Fernando Villavicencio, certified before the Civil Judicial Unit of Quito a payment of US $47,306 in damages to Rafael Correa.
Venezuelan authorities deported Spanish freelance journalist Aitor Sáez ahead of protests planned for Jan. 23, continuing a pattern of treatment towards international journalists prior to mass demonstrations.