(FLIP/IFEX) – The following is a 16 June 2004 joint press release: International Federation of Journalists’ Solidarity Centre (Centro de Solidaridad de la Federación Internacional de Periodistas, CESOFIP) Foundation for Press Freedom (Fundación para la Libertad de Prensa, FLIP) Institute for Press and Society (Instituto de Prensa y Sociedad, IPYS) Inter American Press Association’s Colombia […]
(FLIP/IFEX) – The following is a 16 June 2004 joint press release:
International Federation of Journalists’ Solidarity Centre (Centro de Solidaridad de la Federación Internacional de Periodistas, CESOFIP)
Foundation for Press Freedom (Fundación para la Libertad de Prensa, FLIP)
Institute for Press and Society (Instituto de Prensa y Sociedad, IPYS)
Inter American Press Association’s Colombia Rapid Response Unit (Unidad de Respuesta Rápida Colombia, Sociedad Interamericana de Prensa)
16 June 2004
Since late February 2004, journalist Cristián Herrera Nariño, of the daily “La Opinión”, based in Cúcuta, northeastern Colombia, has faced harassment and received threatening telephone calls. The journalist fears that legal action will be launched against him shortly. Herrera’s situation is of particular concern given that other Cúcuta journalists have recently come under attack. On 22 April, a hired assassin opened fire on journalist Jorge Corredor. The journalist escaped unharmed but his stepdaughter was killed in the attack. On 7 May, journalist Jesús Montes was forced to flee the city after learning of a plot to assassinate him. On 10 June, a threatening letter directed against three RCN radio journalists was sent to the station.
Although one cannot say with certainty that these incidents are in any way connected, it is clear that journalists, particularly Herrera, are under threat in Cúcuta.
