Press freedom, safety of journalists and impunity in Latin America

Journalists have been killed with impunity in Latin America for years. In the past dictatorial governments have acted with impunity to silence journalists by making them disappear. Though more countries in the region have turned from the generals and embraced democracy, journalism remains a dangerous occupation.

A 2006 report on Latin America , prepared by the Commission to Investigate Attacks Against Journalists illustrates the danger. It notes that 28 Latin American journalists were killed and five had disappeared in 2006. With 10 deaths, Mexico has replaced Colombia as the most dangerous country in the region for journalists.

The growing strength of the parallel powers, blanket amnesty laws that shield police and armed services, combine with corrupt judiciaries and self-censorship to fuel impunity and curtail freedom of expression.

Impunity remains the main threat to journalists and freedom of expression in the region
In the last 15 years, 85 per cent of cases involving the killing of journalists remain neither prosecuted nor investigated. The growing influence of parallel powers—business interests, criminal gangs and members of the police and armed services that have infiltrated the structure of the state—pose a new threat to journalists and encourages increasing self-censorship.

Lacking judicial protection, many journalists in the region resort to self-censorship, not wanting to offend the state apparatus when writing about corruption or bring reprisals from criminal gangs when writing about the drug trade.

Many states in the region have passed amnesty laws protecting the perpetrators of crimes committed in previous coups and conflicts, sending the message to security forces that they need not worry about answering for past crimes or the killing of journalists.

To address these challenges, the Inter American Press Association (IAPA) has announced a Hemisphere Conference on The Judiciary, The Press and Impunity, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, July 18-20, 2007. The conference aim is to bring together journalists and jurors to identify tools to combat impunity.

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Related links:
Twenty-Eight Journalists Killed in Eight Latin American Countries in 2006

Amnesty International /Crime Without Punishment: Impunity in Latin America

IAPA announces hemisphere conference with jurists to combat impunity
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