Héctor Sandoval

Colombia's civil conflict once again took a brutal toll on the country's press, with journalists threatened, attacked, kidnapped, and murdered. At least three journalists were killed for their work in 2002, and CPJ continues to investigate the slayings of five others whose deaths may have been related to their reporting. At year's end, Colombia's overburdened justice system appeared far from solving any of these murders, perpetuating a climate of impunity that leaves the media wide open to attacks.

New York, April 12, 2002—Two members of a television news crew were shot and killed while covering fighting on Thursday between the Colombian army and leftist rebels, CPJ has learned.

Héctor Sandoval, a cameraman with RCN Televisión, died early today. Wálter López, the crew's driver, died on Thursday, said Rocío Arias, executive producer of RCN Televisión news.

"We are outraged by the deaths of Héctor Sandoval and his colleague Wálter López," said CPJ executive director Ann Cooper. "We urge the government to do its utmost to protect journalists who are covering this crucial story."