Miami (October 6, 2023) - Violence against the press continues to cast its shadow over the IAPA Bot map, staining much of the continent red.
The Philadelphia community is shocked by the murder of journalist and activist Josh Kruger, who was shot in his home on October 2. Police announced they are questioning a "person of interest" in the case.
In Argentina, a journalist was attacked by Boca fans after a soccer match. Several journalists were assaulted in Paraguay during a violent eviction in Ciudad del Este. In Bolivia, members of the "union security" of the government party physically and verbally attacked reporters from two television channels.
The IAPA also condemned the attack on the headquarters of Semana magazine in Bogotá by demonstrators from an indigenous community. The organization demanded that the authorities apply the law rigorously so that the crime does not go unpunished.
Freedom House reported that the attacks and persecution of President Rodrigo Chaves towards the Costa Rican press have caused an increase in self-censorship. In addition, a Proledi survey revealed that 2 out of 3 people consider that "freedom of expression in Costa Rica is in danger."
In Mexico, a report revealed that 39 women journalists were attacked between June and August 2023. Reporters Without Borders pointed out that Mexico is one of the most dangerous countries for journalists and that President López Obrador, invited to the 79th IAPA General Assembly, has not implemented adequate measures to stop violence against the media.
On the other hand, the IACHR condemned increased violence against journalists in Haiti, where at least ten journalists had to flee their homes in the last month, and three others were murdered this year.
IAPA Bot is an artificial intelligence tool of the Inter American Press Association that monitors press freedom violations in real time. It tracks information published in the media, Google News, Twitter, and from a selection of IAPA notes and denunciations. In addition, it contains a heat map that allows observing the press freedom climate in each country, a button to make complaints, and a menu that highlights the statements of government leaders, citizens' conversations, and relevant events.
IAPA is a non-profit organization dedicated to defending and promoting freedom of the press and expression in the Americas. It comprises more than 1,300 publications in the Western Hemisphere, based in Miami, Florida, United States.
