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Former Colombian intelligence chief convicted of aggravated torture of journalist Claudia Duque

"The Tenth Specialized Criminal Court of Bogotá sentenced Giancarlo Auqué De Silvestri, former Director of Intelligence and former Secretary General of the now-defunct Administrative Department of Security (DAS, for its acronym in Spanish), to 12 years and six months in prison. The court ruling holds him responsible for the aggravated psychological torture committed against journalist […]

Mexican journalist Shalma Castillo threatened and hacked

"Shalma Castillo, a journalist with media outlet Artículo 7  has been threatened and had her cell phone hacked and blocked after publishing an investigation into the relationship between the government of the [Mexican state of] Tamaulipas and a businessman linked to drug trafficking. The National Union of Press Writers (SNRP, for its acronym in Spanish) […]

Brazil’s Supreme Court sentences congresswoman to prison for chasing journalist with a gun

"On Friday [Aug. 22], Brazil's Supreme Federal Court sentenced pro-Bolsonaro congresswoman Carla Zambelli to five years and three months in prison for the crimes of illegal possession of a firearm and illegal coercion with the use of a weapon, in relation to an incident that occurred on the eve of the 2022 runoff election, when […]

Venezuelan journalist and activist Pedro Guanipa is granted house arrest after 11 months in prison

"The National Association of Journalists (CNP, by its acronym in Spanish) of Venezuela celebrated the release from prison of opposition leader Pedro Guanipa, one of 13 political prisoners whose release was announced on Sunday [Aug. 24] by opposition sources, and demanded a ‘fair trial’ for the activist, who was granted precautionary measures. 'Although our colleague […]

Former police officer sentenced to 32 years in prison for murder of Mexican journalist Moisés Sánchez

"Former municipal police officer Clemente Noé 'N' was sentenced to 32 years and six months in prison for the murder of Veracruz journalist José Moisés Sánchez Cerezo, who was beheaded in 2015. A judge ordered compensation for damages and suspended the civil and political rights of the former Medellín Municipal Police officer, considering him criminally […]

Journalists assaulted during soccer match in Brazil

"[Soccer team] Internacional's elimination from the Libertadores [tournament] caused chaos at Beira-Rio [stadium]. After the 2-0 defeat to Flamengo, some of the Colorado fans protested and angry fans attacked the [reporting] team from 'Canal do Baldasso' covering the game. Objects were thrown at the workers, and communications equipment was damaged. A computer had its cable […]

In Brazil, Projor launches new edition of Codesinfo — Innovation Fund for Journalism

"Projor – Institute for the Development of Journalism, in partnership with the Google News Initiative, announces the launch of the 2025 edition of Codesinfo – Innovation Fund for Journalism. The program, which now focuses on artificial intelligence-based solutions for newsrooms, opens applications for proposals from media outlets and collectives throughout Brazil starting Aug. 18. In […]

Journalist found dead with stab wounds in home in Guayaquil, Ecuador

"Police found Guayaquil journalist Xavier Ramos dead inside his home in the La Alborada neighborhood, in the northern part of the city on [Aug. 21]. Police Major Gino Sánchez reported that the body of a 47-year-old man was found with 'wounds caused by a knife.' [...] Journalists' unions condemned the journalist's murder and demanded security […]

Journalist assaulted in Bolivia while live on air

"The National Association of Bolivian Journalists and the Circle of Women Journalists condemned the assault suffered by journalist Marcela Cruz Tola in Oruro, when a man attacked her while she was hosting a program on Channel 15. Both organizations demanded an immediate investigation. [...] A security camera video captured the moment a man entered the […]

Indigenous and Afro-Mexican media report harassment, censorship, threats and attacks

"Community, Indigenous, and Afro-Mexican media outlets reported facing harassment, censorship, threats, and attacks from state and political party actors, amid violence, dispossession, and criminalization in their territories. In a collective statement, they demanded respect for their autonomy and direct participation in communications policy decisions. The statement was issued following the National Meeting 'Sowing the Word, […]

Colombian journalist sentenced for aiding criminal gangs in media

"The Supreme Court's Criminal Cassation Chamber upheld the conviction of journalist Miller Orlando Rubio Orjuela for conspiracy to commit a crime. Rubio Orjuela, a renowned television journalist, was found guilty of using his profession to benefit the criminal organization led by Pedro Nel Rincón Castillo, alias 'Pedro Orejas,' a drug trafficker extradited to the United […]

Suspected killer of Peruvian journalist Gastón Medina captured in Chile

"Chilean authorities have arrested one of the suspects in the killing of Peruvian journalist Gastón Medina Sotomayor. Olfran Domingo Rivas Ramos, who also goes by the alias 'Pancho,' was taken into custody after a routine traffic stop in Santiago, according to Peru's National Police. Rivas Ramos, a foreign national, is being investigated for the January […]