Committee to Protect Journalists - Americas

CPJ dismayed by approval of media law in Ecuador

2013-06-14T17:35:47Z

New York, June 14, 2013--The new Communications Law approved today by the Ecuadoran National Assembly represents a severe blow to freedom of expression, said the Committee to Protect Journalists. The law establishes regulation of editorial content and gives authorities the power to impose arbitrary sanctions and censor the press.

Media executive gunned down in Brazil

2013-06-13T21:02:36Z

New York, June 13, 2013--Brazilian authorities must identify the motive behind Tuesday's murder of a media executive, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Four masked men shot José Roberto Ornelas de Lemos at least 41 times while he was at a bakery in a suburb of Rio de Janeiro, according to news reports.

Brazilian journalists detained while covering protest

2013-06-13T20:39:43Z

New York, June 13, 2013--At least three Brazilian journalists were detained by military police while covering a protest on Tuesday, with one still in custody, according to news reports. The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Brazilian authorities to allow journalists to be able to work freely without fear of harassment.

Venezuela releases jailed US filmmaker, deports him

2013-06-05T18:58:28Z

New York, June 5, 2013--A U.S. filmmaker jailed in Venezuela since April on trumped-up charges of espionage has been freed and deported from the country, news accounts reported today. The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes the release of Timothy Hallet Tracy, and calls on Venezuelan authorities to allow all journalists to work without interference.

Peruvian journalist convicted in criminal defamation case

2013-05-31T20:59:25Z

Alcides Peñaranda Oropeza, editor of the Peruvian daily and magazine Integración, was sentenced on May 21 in the city of Huaraz to a two-year suspended prison sentence and 10,000 soles (US$$3,662) in damages on charges of criminally defaming Cesar Álvarez Aguilar, governor of the northern Ancash region, according to news reports.

Journalist who reported on crime attacked in Peru

2013-05-31T20:52:32Z

Peruvian journalist Jorge Alberto Moncada Mino was attacked by unidentified assailants in the city of Chiclayo in the northern department of Lambayeque on May 24, according to news reports. Moncada, who reports for the daily El Ciclón de Chiclayo and Radio Caliente, was entering a store near his home to buy bread when two men got out of a vehicle and beat him with the butt of a gun and a wrench. The journalist was hospitalized with several bone fractures and wounds to his abdomen and head.

CPJ condemns ransacking of radio station in Bolivia

2013-05-28T19:00:36Z

Bogotá, Colombia, May 28, 2013--An attack on a community radio station in central Bolivia constitutes a politically motivated attempt to censor its news coverage, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today as it called on authorities to investigate and apprehend the attackers.

Honduras should investigate attack on two journalists

2013-05-23T20:20:35Z

New York, May 23, 2013--Honduran authorities must conduct a full and thorough investigation into Monday's attack on two journalists in the northern town of La Ceiba, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

Two journalists shot at New Orleans parade

2013-05-21T20:43:34Z

Two journalists were shot and wounded during a shooting at a Mother's Day parade in New Orleans on May 12, 2013, that left 19 people injured, according to news reports.

CPJ alarmed by U.S. Justice scrutiny of Fox News reporter

2013-05-21T17:10:00Z

New York, May 21, 2013--The Committee to Protect Journalists is concerned by reports of a U.S. Justice Department investigation into the newsgathering activities of a Fox News reporter, which come a week after revelations that the government seized phone records of The Associated Press.

CPJ board protests secret seizure of AP phone records

2013-05-21T14:13:46Z

Dear Attorney General Holder and Deputy Attorney General Cole: CPJ's board of directors rarely has seen the need to raise its collective voice against U.S. government actions that threaten newsgathering. Today, however, we write to vigorously protest the secret seizing of phone records of The Associated Press. The overly broad scope of the subpoena and the lack of notification to the AP represent a damaging setback for press freedom in the United States and set a terrible example for the rest of the world.

At AU summit, Kerry should speak out for a free press

2013-05-16T21:00:33Z

Dear Mr. Secretary: We are writing to bring to your attention the deteriorating state of press freedom in Ethiopia, where you will attend this year's African Union Summit. A vibrant press and civil society is fundamental to hold governments accountable and to ensure long-term development and stability. As we mark the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Organization of African Unity, we ask that you include the issue of press freedom in your discussion of the challenges that Africa will face in the next half-century.

Authorities discover plot to kill Colombian journalist

2013-05-15T19:48:40Z

Bogotá, May 15, 2013--Colombian authorities must bring to justice all those responsible for an alleged plot to assassinate a journalist and two political analysts who had been investigating links between local politicians and organized crime, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

CPJ alarmed by US seizure of AP phone records

2013-05-14T19:36:49Z

New York, May 14, 2013--The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by reports that the United States Justice Department seized two months of telephone records of journalists with The Associated Press.

Land restitution coverage leads to threats in Colombia

2013-05-08T18:46:09Z

Bogotá, Colombia, May 8, 2013--A shadowy group that claims to oppose land restitution efforts in Colombia has told eight journalists who cover the issue to leave the northern city of Valledupar or be killed, according to CPJ interviews and news reports.