Colombia

“[While] press freedom faces growing challenges in the region, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the defense of freedom of expression and the right of society to be informed” – IAPA

Estefanía Colmenares received a threat from an unidentified person that said, “You are a military target. There’s a price on your head.”

Pereira, 25, founded the local news outlet ‘Notiorense; on Facebook this year. He published stories on crime and public security in Ciénaga de Oro, including articles about the recent killing of a woman that named her alleged killer.

The newspaper denounced that it has recently been subjected to “pressures and intimidations from illegal armed actors” with the intention of forcing it to publish its messages.

Authorities must thoroughly investigate the killing of journalist Wilder Alfredo Córdoba. Local journalists covering corruption in Colombia’s small cities and towns too often face deadly retaliation for their reporting.

Moreno was the director of independent online news outlet ‘Voces De Córdoba’, which published local news reports on Facebook, and a well-known community leader who received threats for years for his reporting on political corruption and drug-trafficking groups.

The shooting follows four death threats against Niño circulated in pamphlets by criminal organizations since January 2021.

A submitted amicus brief shows how Colombia’s intelligence law and unlawful surveillance practices are violating the right to privacy and other human rights.

The Inter American Press Association denounced that Medellín Mayor Daniel Quintero and some of his officials undermined the newspaper’s credibility and also harassed and stigmatized its director.

Communicators from across the country said they occupy a particularly precarious place in Colombia’s press corps as threats to their reporting and safety come from many sides.

On October 18th, 2021, the Inter-American Court released a historic judgment on the analysis of sexual violence as a way to silence female journalists. The court found the Colombian State responsible for not guaranteeing the rights of journalist Jineth Bedoya Lima. In 2000, Jineth was a victim of kidnapping, torture and sexual abuse.

In May of 2000, Jineth Bedoya Lima was abducted and sexually assaulted while investigating a story in Colombia. Years later, justice has only just begun to be served.

“When dealing with an attack on a journalist like Julián Martínez, who covers sensitive information and has received credible threats, it is essential for authorities investigating the incident to consider that he may have been targeted for his work.”

Colombian President Iván Duque should veto a portion of the anti-corruption bill that threatens press freedom. Article 221A of the bill empowers judges to suspend or cancel the legal status of any organization whose members defame or slander any active or former government official.