Threats against journalists more than double this year

[Judi Lynn]

Threats against journalists more than double this year
Tuesday, 05 July 2011 15:43
Matt Snyder

The number of threats issued against Colombian journalists this year has more than doubled compared with the same period last year, Caracol Radio reported.

According to the Foundation for the Freedom of the Press (FLIP) between January 1 and June 30, 58 threats have been issued against journalists, which is nine more than the total issued for the entirety of last year.

Five journalists have been driven from their local communities by intimidation so far this year. The interior ministry has granted 77 journalists protection under its journalist protection program.

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FLIP further reported that most of the threats this year were issued by former paramilitaries, criminal groups, or by groups seeking to influence the upcoming elections.

More:
http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/17421-threats-against-journalists-more-than-double-this-year.html