SOS for Journalist

On June 18, more than 400 people converged in Mexico City for the Committee for the Protection of Journalist’s (CPJ) Mexico Press Freedom Summit. Energized by a sense that the country is at a point of profound political change under the government of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, the conference delved into the threats for Mexican journalists.

Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was deliberately killed at the hands of state actors and journalists around the world are increasingly seeing the same fate, said a United Nations expert.

Authorities in the Brazilian town of Maricá, in Rio de Janeiro state, must thoroughly investigate the killing of journalist Romário Barros and determine whether the attack was tied to his journalism, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) warned that the indictment could be the opening salvo in a broader attack on First Amendment journalistic protections. The 18th charge against Assange–of violating the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA)–has garnered far less attention.

The founder, editor, and other members of the The Intercept Brasil staff said they have received threats on email and social media following their publication of politically sensitive stories this month.

Colombian authorities should conduct a swift and comprehensive investigation into the killing of radio journalist Libardo Montenegro and ensure those responsible are brought to justice, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

Haitian authorities should conduct a swift and comprehensive investigation into the killing of journalist Pétion Rospide and ensure those responsible are brought to justice, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

Mexican authorities must immediately and transparently investigate the killing of reporter Norma Sarabia and do everything in their power to ensure the safe recovery of journalist Marcos Miranda Cogco, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

“If the government of Daniel Ortega truly wants to show it has moved away from repressive censorship tactics, authorities must immediately return all confiscated equipment to 100% Noticias and allow the channel to resume broadcasting without interference.”

“The exorbitant damages imposed on La Patilla is nothing more than a thinly veiled attempt to bankrupt and shut down a critical outlet,” said CPJ South and Central America Program Coordinator Natalie Southwick in New York. “This troubling ruling is the latest example of how the Venezuelan judicial system is being used to retaliate against critical media.”