Attacks on the Press - Committee to Protect Journalists

attacks on the press in 2009journalists killed: motive unconfirmedHárold Humberto Rivas QuevedoCNC Bugavisiónand Voces de OccidenteDecember 15, 2009, BugaRivas, 49, host of the political commentaryshow “Comuna Libre” on localtelevision station CNC Bugavisiónand a sports commentator on localradio station Voces de Occidente, leftthe TV studio in the western city ofBuga shortly after 10 p.m., StationManager Javier Gil told CPJ.Arriving minutes later at a local funeralhome that he managed, Rivas wasapproached by an individual wearing adark motorcycle helmet, according tolocal news reports. The unidentifiedassailant fired five shots before fleeingaboard a motorcycle with a second individual.Rivas was pronounced deadat the scene, Gil told CPJ.The station manager said Rivas wasgenerally critical of civic problems butdid not directly criticize particular officialsor touch on sensitive issues. Gilsaid investigators did not immediatelypublicize any leads.DEMOCRATIC REPUBLICOF CONGO: 1Bruno Koko Chirambiza, Radio StarAugust 23, 2009, BukavuEight assailants in civilian clothing attackedChirambiza, 24, and a friendwhile they were walking home froma wedding celebration, according tothe local press freedom group Journalisteen Danger ( JED). Stabbed inthe chest, the journalist died around1:30 a.m. after being taken to a localhospital. A presenter of the Swahilinewscast and a host of cultural programscovering music and youth issues,he had not reported any threats,according to Radio Star News DirectorJimmy Bianga.Speaking to Radio France Internationale(RFI) from the capital, Kinshasa,Congolese CommunicationsMinister Lambert Mende declared thatChirambiza’s murder was a result of“banditry taking place in this city sincethe war began.” The assailants, however,did not steal any of the journalist’spersonal belongings, which includeda mobile phone and 5,600 Congolesefrancs (US$7), according to Bianga.Local journalists and JED noted thatChirambiza was buried within hours ofhis death, without an autopsy. No murderweapon was found. One personsuspected of involvement in the attackwas lynched by a local mob a few daysafter the murder, but no arrests weremade, according to local journalists.GUATEMALA: 2Rolando Santiz, Telecentro 13April 1, 2009, Guatemala CityReporter Santiz and cameraman Antoniode León were driving to Telecentro13 offices in Guatemala Cityjust after 5 p.m. when two gunmenon a motorcycle fired several timesat their car, according to local newsreports and CPJ interviews. Santiz,52, was pronounced dead at the scene,while de León was hospitalized withhead, jaw, and chest wounds.Santiz, a 30-year veteran, was wellknownin Guatemala, local journaliststold CPJ. He had covered the police beatfor about half of his career. Elsie Sierra,a spokeswoman for the TV station, saidthe journalist had received threats, althoughshe said it was not clear whetherthey were linked to a specific story.Marco Antonio EstradaTele DiarioJune 6, 2009, ChiquimulaAn unidentified assailant fired fourshots at Estrada, a local correspondentfor the national television stationTele Diario, as he was getting off hismotorcycle on a street in Chiquimula,140 miles (225 kilometers) eastof Guatemala City, according to localnews reports and CPJ interviews.Witnesses quoted in the local presssaid the gunman fled in a car that wasparked at the scene. Amílcar Rodas Ruano,a reporter for Tele Diario, told CPJthat Estrada’s cell phone had been takenin the 8 p.m. attack.Estrada, 39, covered general assignments,which included stories on organizedcrime and drug trafficking. He hadworked for more than 20 years as a journalist,local reporters told CPJ, coveringChiquimula for about half that time. Hiswife told local reporters that she did notknow of any threats against him.HONDURAS: 2Rafael Munguía OrtizRadio Cadena VocesMarch 31, 2009, San Pedro SulaUnidentified gunmen in a green carshot Munguía, a local correspondentfor Radio Cadena Voces, on a street inthe Medina neighborhood of San PedroSula, 110 miles (175 kilometers)northwest of the capital, Tegucigalpa,according to local news reports andCPJ interviews. Eric Peñalva, a policespokesman, told CPJ that the journalistwas shot seven times from a 9mmweapon at around 6 p.m.Munguía, 52, had a long history asa journalist in San Pedro Sula, andhad been with Radio Cadena Vocesfor more than two years, his colleague,Melissa Amaya, told CPJ. He had recentlyreported on violence and organizedcrime, she said.Gabriel Fino NoriegaEstelar Radio, Radio América,and TV Channel 9July 3, 2009, San Juan PuebloUnidentified assailants gunned downbroadcast reporter Noriega in SanJuan Pueblo, 215 miles (350 kilometers)north of the capital, Tegucigalpa,as he was leaving the offices of EstelarRadio at around 5 p.m., police spokesmanCésar Wilfredo Ardón told CPJ.Noriega was shot multiple times,Ardón said, and died en route to a localhospital.274275