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Violence Against Journalists

Stick of dynamite thrown at journalist's home in Peru

"In Huaral, security cameras captured a man lighting and throwing an explosive device inside the home of journalist Carlos Alberto Mesías Zárate. The victim's pet, a dog named Manchis, put out the lit fuse with her teeth and alerted the journalist to the incident. [...] The journalist said the act was a response from the […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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, […]

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 […]

Journalist assaulted during local officials’ protest in Paraguay

An episode of violence against the press was reported on Thursday [Aug. 14] during a protest led by municipal officials in Ciudad del Este, Paraguay. Radio Concierto network reporter Héctor Maciel was assaulted while covering officials demanding payment for back wages, according to the media outlet Última Hora. According to local reports, a group of […]

Venezuelan journalist Víctor Ugas’ health deteriorates after a year in detention

"The Human Rights Committee of the Vente Venezuela party reported on Saturday [Aug. 16] the declining health of journalist Víctor Ugas, who has been detained since the disputed re-election of Nicolás Maduro in August 2024. The Voluntad Popular party warned last July that the journalist needed urgent medical attention, after suffering from fever for almost […]

Two more hitmen sentenced for failed attack on Mexican journalist

"A Mexican judge sentenced two drug trafficking hitmen who attempted to assassinate renowned journalist Ciro Gómez Leyva in December 2022 to eleven years in prison, the Attorney General's Office reported Monday [Aug. 18]. To date, eleven people have been sentenced to various prison terms for this attack, which—according to one of the defendants—was ordered by […]