Reactions trail murder of five journalists in one month in Honduras

The association, in a letter to the country’s president, Porforio Lobo Sosa, expressed concerns over the alarming increase in violence against journalists in that country since last June’s coup. Five journalists were killed in four attacks in the month of March alone, the latest being the killing of Jose Bayardo Mairena and Manuel Juarez, two […]

The association, in a letter to the country’s president, Porforio Lobo Sosa, expressed concerns over the alarming increase in violence against journalists in that country since last June’s coup.

Five journalists were killed in four attacks in the month of March alone, the latest being the killing of Jose Bayardo Mairena and Manuel Juarez, two radio journalists. Their car was sprayed with bullets as they were heading home after a live radio programme. The car was found with 21 bullet holes.

These murders follow the shooting of Tegucigalpa journalist Joseph Hernández Ochoa in an attack on 1st March, in which another journalist, Karol Cabrera, was also injured. On 11 March Radio America correspondent, David Meza Montesinos was killed in La Ceiba, and on the March 14,  local TV station director, Nahúm Palacios Artiaga was shot in Tocoa, Colón.

The murders have elicited wide spread condemnations from local and international organisations including the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

“Such despicable crimes against media professionals undermine the fundamental right of freedom of information, cornerstone of a democratic society,” said Irina Bokova, Director-General of (UNESCO).

Both UNESCO and WAN-IFRA in their separate statements, urged the authorities in the country to take adequate steps to provide a conducive working environment for journalists as well as bring an end to the impunity with which journalists are killed.

“It is the duty of the state to provide an environment in which journalists are able to carry out their professional duties without fear of violence,” WAN-IFRA said in its letter.

UNESCO harped on the need to bring the murderers to book. “I call on the Honduran authorities to make every possible effort to arrest the perpetrators and put an end to this unprecedented and intolerable wave of violence,” Ms. Bokova said.

Reporters without Borders, an international NGO, has declared in the wake of the murders, that Honduras and Mexico are now the most dangerous countries for journalists in the western hemisphere.