The criminalisation of journalism in Guatemala, the latest on Jineth Bedoya's case, and standing up

[Judi Lynn]

The criminalisation of journalism in Guatemala, the latest on Jineth Bedoya’s case, and standing up to book bans in the U.S.

Laura Vidal
30 May 2023
9 minute read



May in the Americas: A free expression roundup produced by IFEX's Regional Editor Laura Vidal, based on IFEX member reports and news from the region.

Violence took three more journalists in the region; Peru approved a bill increasing penalties for defamation and Guatemala’s news outlet elPeriódico was forced to close. Meanwhile, PEN America is responding to the wave of US book bans with a lawsuit in Florida, and in Colombia the trial against the official allegedly responsible for Jineth Bedoya’s kidnapping kicks off with some dubious testimonies.

Three journalists killed in yet another tragic month for the region
Luis Gabriel Pereira was fatally shot on 12 May in Ciénaga de Oro, Colombia. FLIP has called for further investigation to clarify the motive behind the killing and highlighted that Pereira had been working on a series of reports around a femicide case.

In Argentina, the killing of journalist Griselda Blanco was at first categorised as a femicide; however, FOPEA is emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation and drew attention to factors that indicate a possible connection between the murder and her journalistic work.

Mexico suffered another loss with the murder of veteran journalist Marco Aurelio Ramírez Hernández.Ramírez Hernández was chased and shot while driving in Agua Blanca, Tehuacán, Puebla. ARTICLE 19 Mexico and Central America is demanding further investigation and protection for his family and colleagues from the local government.

More:
https://ifex.org/the-criminalisation-of-journalism-in-guatemala-the-latest-on-jineth-bedoyas-case-and-standing-up-to-book-bans-in-the-u-s/