August 2, 2024
The Inter American Press Association (IAPA) condemned attacks on press freedom in Venezuela this week. In the context of the presidential elections on July 28, journalists were attacked, intimidated, and detained. Roberto Rock, president of IAPA, stated, "It is vital that journalists and media can perform their informational duties without interference and without fear of reprisals."
The association Espacio Público recorded 15 cases and 16 reports of violations of the right to freedom of expression during the elections on Sunday, July 28. Additionally, the National Union of Press Workers of Venezuela (SNTP) reported attacks on journalists covering the recent protests throughout the country.
In another incident, an officer of the National Police of the Dominican Republic assaulted photojournalist Roberto Reyes and journalist Marissela De La Cruz during the coverage of a fire in Santiago. Reyes was beaten, and his cell phone was confiscated. Through a post on X, IAPA condemned the incident.
The National Academy of Journalism of Argentina denounced the "persecution and harassment" by supporters of President Javier Milei against journalist María O'Donnell. The Academy rejected the campaign of slander and attacks on social media against O'Donnell and expressed concern about the dissemination of personal data and the manipulation of interviews to discredit her.
Two years after the imprisonment of journalist José Rubén Zamora, IAPA once again demanded his release. The President of Guatemala, Bernardo Arévalo, stated that "the imprisonment of Zamora is a clear example of the corruption and abuse of power that prevails in the Public Ministry, which insists on criminalizing him and maintaining a process full of inconsistencies."
This week, Russia released American journalist Evan Gershkovich of the Wall Street Journal, who was detained in March 2023 and had been sentenced to 16 years in prison after being found guilty of espionage. Gershkovich was released following a prisoner exchange between Russia and the United States, as part of a historic multinational agreement to free more than 20 people, according to press reports.
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 from the western hemisphere and is based in Miami, Florida, United States.
