The IAPA mourns the murder of a journalist in Peru and demands justice

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The hemispheric organization stresses the importance of ensuring the safety of journalists and combating impunity.
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Miami (January 21, 2025) – The Inter American Press Association (IAPA) mourns the murder of journalist Gastón Medina Sotomayor, which occurred on Monday in the city of Ica, in southwest Peru. The hemispheric organization stresses the importance of ensuring the safety of journalists and combating impunity as essential steps to protect press freedom and strengthen democracy.

Medina, owner and director of Cadena Sur TV, was shot outside his home, according to reports in the press. The crime was captured by security cameras. The 60-year-old journalist was immediately taken to a hospital where he passed away shortly thereafter, as reported.

Medina was known for his criticism of the regional government and the provincial municipality. Additionally, he had been reporting on irregularities in the judiciary and extortion within the public transport service, according to a statement from the Press and Society Institute (IPYS, in Spanish).

A friend of the journalist, quoted in the press, acknowledged that Medina had received recent threats. According to the Peruvian Press Council (CPP, in Spanish), Cadena Sur was the victim of an attack in 2024.

"We send our sincere condolences to Medina's family and colleagues," stated José Roberto Dutriz, president of the IAPA. "We urge authorities to promptly and thoroughly investigate the case, taking into consideration Medina's journalistic investigations and reports," added Dutriz, CEO and general director of La Prensa Gráfica, El Salvador.

Carlos Jornet, second vice president of the IAPA, president of the Committee on Freedom of the Press and Information of the organization, and editorial director of La Voz del Interior newspaper, Argentina, stated that "this crime undermines press freedom and democracy. It is imperative that Peruvian authorities act decisively so that this murder does not join the long list of unresolved cases perpetuating cycles of violence and impunity."

The Chapultepec Index 2024 reported a serious setback in Peru regarding freedoms of expression and the press. The country dropped from 12th to 16th place, entering the category of 'high restrictions on freedoms of expression and the press,' placing Peru among the seven worst-rated countries by the Chapultepec Index.

The 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.

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