Committee to Protect Journalists - Bolivia

Bolivian journalist sentenced to prison for defamation

2012-03-15T20:45:42Z

New York, March 15, 2012--A Bolivian journalist who wrote about government corruption was found guilty of defamation by a criminal court in La Paz on Wednesday and sentenced to 30 months in prison.

In Bolivia, mayor's supporters attack TV, radio stations

2011-11-17T18:31:45Z

New York, November 17, 2011--The Committee to Protect Journalists is concerned by reports that a Bolivian TV channel and its sister radio station were vandalized and forced off the air on Monday by supporters of a local mayor.

Bolivian journalist who exposed corruption is threatened

2011-09-12T18:37:03Z

New York, September 12, 2011--The Committee to Protect Journalists is concerned by the repeated death threats and harassment of a journalist who exposed corruption in the Bolivian government's Institute of Forensic Investigations this April.

Bolivian journalist dead; explosive cited

2011-04-22T16:27:21Z

New York, April 22, 2011--David Niño de Guzmán, news director for the La Paz-based Agencia de Noticias Fides, was found dead on Thursday, the apparent victim of an explosive device, after being reported missing two days earlier. The Committee to Protect Journalists called on authorities today to thoroughly investigate the death.

Bolivia's new anti-discrimination law raises concerns

2010-10-18T16:29:22Z

Dear President Morales: We are deeply concerned that provisions in Bolivia's new anti-discrimination law threaten to stifle press freedom. We call upon you to see that this law is amended to ensure constitutional safeguards for free expression.

In the Americas, Big Brother is watching reporters

2010-02-16T05:56:00Z

By Carlos Lauría

The topic being investigated by two Colombian reporters was explosive enough that it required unusual security. Fearful that the subjects would learn prematurely of the story, the reporters took separate notes, which they did not share and which they later destroyed. They didn’t communicate by telephone or e-mail, and they met only in public locations. They relayed only the barest information to their own sources.

Attacks on the Press 2009: Americas Developments

2010-02-16T05:02:40Z

Bolivian cameraman brutally attacked in La Paz

2009-07-28T19:04:10Z

New York, July 28, 2009--Following a vicious attack on a cameraman for the La Paz-based television network Gigavisión outside the station's offices early Saturday morning, the Committee to Protect Journalists called on Bolivian authorities today to thoroughly investigate and bring those responsible to justice.

Three journalists receive death threats in Bolivia

2009-05-11T20:55:08Z

On the evening of April 12, 2009, Raphael Ramírez, editor of the national daily La Prensa, received two anonymous calls at his home in La Paz from an individual who threatened to kill him if he "did not stop publishing lies," Carlos Morales, the daily's director, told CPJ. The following morning, an unidentified individual called Morales' home three times and warned his wife that the journalist would be killed if he did not change the paper's editorial line, Morales said. The caller specified that he was unhappy with La Prensa's coverage of a corruption scandal involving high-ranking individuals in Bolivian President Evo Morales' administration. (The journalist is not related to the president.)

Attacks on the Press in 2008: Bolivia

2009-02-10T05:46:00Z

The news media were caught in the middle of a deepening power struggle between the leftist government of President Evo Morales, an Aymara Indian, and the conservative opposition governors of the eastern lowlands. The battle was fueled by rising ethnic tensions between Bolivia’s indigenous majority, centered in the capital, La Paz, and the European-descended opposition based in the lowlands.

CPJ calls for government action after growing violence against the press

2008-09-19T23:37:16Z

New York, September 19, 2008—With the rise of violent attacks and threats against journalists covering civil unrest in different regions of Bolivia this week, the Committee to Protect Journalists called on national and provincial authorities today to ensure that all media can report the news freely.

At least 18 people have been killed and dozens injured over the last week. Antigovernment protests erupted as opposition groups demanded a larger share in the nation’s gas profits and greater autonomy. The groups also oppose a constitutional reform, according to international and local news reports. President Evo Morales and opposition governors began talks on Thursday in an attempt to defuse the serious political crisis.

Opposition activists attack state-owned media

2008-09-11T01:40:25Z

New York, September 10, 2008--Opposition activists in the city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra stormed the offices of two state-owned media outlets on Tuesday, destroying equipment and forcing them to halt broadcasts in the wake of two-week long antigovernment protests. The Committee to Protect Journalists condemned the attacks and called on Santa Cruz's governor to ensure that all media can work freely without fear of reprisal.

Bolivia: Journalist dies after attack on government-run

2008-04-08T16:00:00Z

New York, April 8, 2008--Bolivian authorities must thoroughly investigate and promptly bring to justice those responsible for the slaying of Carlos Quispe Quispe, a journalist working for a government-run radio station in Pucarani, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Quispe died March 29 after being severely beaten two days earlier by protesters demanding the ouster of the local mayor.

Attacks on the Press 2007: Americas Snapshots

2008-02-05T16:58:00Z

Attacks & developments throughout the region

Bolivian media attacked in protests over constitutional reform

2007-11-27T17:00:00Z

New York, November 27, 2007—At least five journalists were beaten by police on Sunday in Bolivia while covering antigovernment protests in which four people were killed and hundreds were injured. The violence occurred in the city of Sucre during protests against the government’s efforts to approve a new constitution, according to international news reports. Violence also flared on Monday in La Paz, where supporters of President Evo Morales harassed journalists and attacked media outlets.