texas-moody

Press Freedom

Guatemalan Supreme Court grants amparo to journalist José Rubén Zamora to avoid re-imprisonment

“On Monday [Jan. 13], Guatemala's Supreme Court granted an amparo to Guatemalan journalist José Rubén Zamora that suspends his re-entry into prison, as an appeals court had ordered last November. Zamora was released from prison in October 2024 after almost two years serving a six-year sentence for money laundering that was later annulled. A judge […]

Journalists detained while covering opposition protest in Venezuela are charged with 'terrorism'

“Journalist Leandro Palmar and his technical assistant Belices Salvador Cubillán [of the University of Zulia radio station Luz FM], detained on Thursday [Jan. 9] by the military while covering an opposition protest in Zulia state (northwestern Venezuela), were charged with terrorism and three other crimes, according to the National Union of Press Workers (SNTP, for […]

Guatemala: Supreme Court chamber rejects provisional protection for journalist Jose Rubén Zamora and orders his return to prison

"This Jan. 9, the Amparo and Pretrial Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice denied the provisional protection requested by the defense of journalist Jose Rubén Zamora, founder of elPeriódico, and ratified the resolution of the Second Court of Appeals that revoked substitute measures and ordered his preventive detention. According to an alert published by […]

Inter-American court orders Ortega-Murillo regime to release journalist Leo Cárcamo

"This Wednesday [Jan. 8], the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (I/A Court) ordered Nicaragua to 'immediately' release journalist Leo Cárcamo, detained on Nov. 22, 2024, and whose whereabouts are unknown. 'To require the State of Nicaragua to proceed with the immediate release of Catalino Leo Cárcamo,'  read the resolution of the continental court, which is […]

TikTok reportedly blocked in Venezuela

"Hundreds of X and Instagram users in Venezuela are reporting problems accessing their accounts on TikTok since Monday night [January 6]. According to the reports, the failure occurred on various Internet providers, and it's only possible to access with the use of VPN. Although no official statement has been made, the alleged blocking of the […]

Cameraman arrested during post-election protests in Venezuela is released

"Cameraman Paúl León, who was arrested during his coverage of the post-election protests in Venezuela, was released from prison, the National Union of Press Workers of Venezuela (SNTP, for its initials in Spanish) and VPITV, the media outlet where he works, reported this Tuesday [Dec. 24, 2024]. León's case was reported after the Attorney General […]

Venezuelan journalist detained after elections is released, according to press union

"The National Union of Press Workers of Venezuela (SNTP, for its initials in Spanish) reported this Saturday [Dec. 21, 2024] the release of journalist Ana Carolina Guaita, detained on Aug. 2 in the midst of the post-election crisis after the proclaimed victory of Nicolás Maduro in the presidential elections. Through X, the SNTP recalled that […]

Independent journalist José Luis Tan Estrada leaves Cuba: 'State Security forced me to leave'

"Independent journalist José Luis Tan Estrada recently left Cuba after facing years of harassment, surveillance and threats by the island's authorities. 'I left under extreme conditions. State Security forced me to leave Cuba,' the reporter told Martí Noticias." Read original article (in Spanish)

More than 30 news media outlets pen editorial warning about risks to press freedom in Colombia

“Thirty three Colombian newspapers and news sites published an editorial titled ‘For a pillar of freedoms,’ in which they warn about the situation of press freedom in Colombia. It says that during 2024, the country has been experiencing 'a worrying setback in this field' and calls on the government of President Gustavo Petro to guarantee […]

Colombian court will hear suit against President Petro for allegedly violating press freedom

"The Administrative Court of Cundinamarca, in Colombia, admitted a lawsuit filed by the Foundation for the Rule of Law against President Gustavo Petro 'for violation of freedom of expression, press and access to information'. The popular action questions the way in which the president incurs in 'dangerous accusations and generalizations against the media and journalists […]

Mexican columnist wins first lawsuit from a journalist against former President López Obrador

“Journalist Raymundo Riva Palacio obtained a definitive amparo judgment against the statements made at the [morning press conferences known as] 'mañaneras' of former [Mexican] President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. A judge ruled in favor of the appeal filed by the columnist, who claimed violation of his human rights. Riva Palacio said that he filed this appeal […]

Women journalists were main victims of attacks on press during 2024 elections in Brazil

A report released by the Coalition in Defense of Journalism, a group made up of 11 Brazilian civil society organizations, exposed the main challenges faced by the press and journalists during 2024 municipal elections in Brazil. The study, carried out in partnership with Labic at the Federal University of Espírito Santo and ITS Rio, analyzed […]