Articles by Inter American Press Association

Attempts to silence independent press have increased, IAPA concludes during annual meeting
Press freedom violations include physical violence, the murder of journalists and the impunity surrounding these crimes, lawsuits, arbitrary arrests, verbal abuse, and restrictive laws.

IAPA criticises boycott of Univisión debate by US presidential candidates
IAPA president says that “what deeply concerns us is not only the decision to boycott a news media outlet but that the decision has been made by people who in the future could assume the same attitude from a seat in the White House.”

IAPA condemns increased harassment of dissidents
IAPA laments the absence of solidarity of Latin American governments with the Cuban people.

UNESCO director-general urged to cancel Obiang prize
The goal of “a free, safe and fair environment for journalists” would be greatly undermined should UNESCO’s executive board move forward with an award named for and funded by Equatorial Guinean President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, say a group of organisations who participated in a UN consultative process on impunity last week.

IAPA highlights absence of government action following assassination of yet another journalist
The body of María Elizabeth Macías Castro was found along with a note saying, “I am here because of my reports . . . this happened to me because of my actions.”

IAPA calls attention to Correa’s conflicting positions on press freedom
A speech by President Rafael Correa at Columbia University in New York, “will serve to expose the inconsistent thinking of one who claims to support freedom of the press and of expression yet whose actions are totally opposed to such freedoms,” IAPA noted.

IAPA outraged at murder of young couple targeted for using Twitter
The two young people, whose identities have not been disclosed, were killed in apparent reprisal for their comments on drug trafficking.

IAPA calls for political will to combat impunity at UNESCO conference
IAPA urged governments to reform public policies to effectively combat the impunity surrounding crimes against journalists and to create protection programmes.