WHEREAS attacks, threats, and other violent acts against journalists and media outlets represented a severe obstacle to the practice of journalism and the public's right to information
WHEREAS attacks, threats, and other violent acts against journalists and media outlets represented a severe obstacle to the practice of journalism and the public's right to information
WHEREAS in Argentina, dozens of journalists were victims of harassment campaigns on social media and of attacks and accusations by digital activists linked to the ruling party
WHEREAS in Bolivia, numerous journalists were attacked while covering demonstrations
WHEREAS in Brazil, numerous journalists suffered massive attacks on social media, where their data, routines, and photographs were exposed, and others received death threats
WHEREAS in Canada journalists, particularly women, were harassed online, which had a chilling effect on their work
WHEREAS in Chile, an increase in online harassment targeting women journalists who were threatened anonymously was observed, which included the disclosure of their data and that of their families on social media
WHEREAS in Colombia, threats against journalists were prominent. Independent media and journalists were attacked in demonstrations
WHEREAS in Ecuador, criminal organizations threatened five journalists, and six other attacks were recorded in digital environments
WHEREAS in the United States, journalists were attacked by the police, and five journalists were detained during protests over immigration policies
WHEREAS in El Salvador, the press was the victim of harassment and limitations on the provision of public information
WHEREAS in Guatemala, journalism continued to suffer attacks and persecution from the Public Ministry, and several cases of attacks by officials were recorded, mainly within the country
WHEREAS in Guyana, the government launched aggressive attacks against the president of the Guyana Press Association, accusing her of being aligned with the opposition
WHEREAS in Haiti, several journalists were injured while covering demonstrations
WHEREAS in Honduras, several reporters were victims of threats, attacks, and stigmatization by officials
WHEREAS in Mexico, attacks against journalists continued, and Debate, in Sinaloa, suffered attacks on its facilities, and a delivery driver was kidnapped
WHEREAS arbitrary arrests and exiles of journalists were documented in Nicaragua, and the government continued its policy of blocking media outlets' websites
WHEREAS assaults, attacks, and arbitrary detention of journalists were recorded in Paraguay
WHEREAS arbitrary arrests, forced disappearances, physical attacks, media closures, and threats against the press were recorded in Venezuela
WHEREAS Principle 4 of the Declaration of Chapultepec establishes that "intimidation, the unjust imprisonment of journalists, the destruction of facilities, violence of any kind and impunity for perpetrators" severely restrict freedom of expression and of the press and that "such acts must be investigated promptly and punished harshly."
THE IAPA MIDYEAR MEETING RESOLVES
To condemn the increase in the region of attacks, harassment, and threats against journalists while performing their work
To urge States to adopt measures to prevent violence against journalists and to protect and guarantee the right to freedom of expression and the press following inter-American standards
To denounce that the impunity for these acts of violence against journalists and media outlets fosters a hostile environment toward the press and has a substantial chilling effect on the exercise of freedom of expression and the press.
