In commemoration of World Day of Press Freedomvarious journalistic entities in Guatemala, including the Association of Journalists of Guatemala (APG)the Guatemalan Chamber of Journalismthe Association of Sports Writers (ACD)and other organizations, expressed their firm commitment and unity in the defense of this fundamental right.
In a joint statement, 12 entities highlighted the importance of remembering to the authorities the need to respect their commitment to press freedomas well as reflecting on the role of journalism in democracy and the professional ethics involved in its exercise.
The statement, supported by the signatory organizations, expresses its solidarity with the more than 20 Guatemalan journalists who have been forced to leave the country due to threats to their livesas well as with those who have been unjustly criminalized.
“This is extended to the case of Jose Ruben Zamorawho has been in jail for more than 600 days and without due process,” the statement describes.
In addition, journalistic entities also rejected all forms and measures that restrict free access to information, as well as any action that threatens the exercise of searching, issuing and disseminating information of public interest.
Likewise, they extended a call to all social sectors to defend the right to freedom of thought and expression, as well as freedoms of religion, creed or political ideas.
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Also joining what was expressed by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the entities assured that “journalism is not a crime, and despite this, a whole barrage of new laws and lawsuits claim otherwise”.
“All the threats that a journalist receives represent a direct attack once morest freedom of information, opinion and expression, fundamental rights that belong to all of us,” they pointed out.
Regarding the right to freedom of thought and expression, it was recalled that, according to Article 13 of the American Convention on Human Rights, this includes the freedom to seek, receive and disseminate information and ideas of all kinds, remembering that “it cannot be restricted by indirect means or means, such as the abuse of official or private controls.”
Guatemala falls in world ranking of press freedom
Guatemala has registered a fall from position 127 to 138 in the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) World Press Freedom Index, published on Friday, May 3, 2024, on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day.
The index annually evaluates the situation for journalists in 180 countries, measuring five indicators: political, social, economic, legal framework and security.
Previously, Guatemala was among the countries with a “problematic” situation regarding press freedom, but The fall to 138th place places it in a “difficult situation”, worsening this indicator for the Central American country.
As the report highlights, in the Americas region, The inability of journalists to cover stories related to organized crime, corruption or the environment, for fear of reprisals, is a problem of the first magnitude.
Sharp declines in press freedom in Latin America#Ecuador fell 30 places and #Argentina 26 in the annual index of the NGO Reporters Without Borders. #Mexico It improved, but it is still one of the most dangerous countries in the world to practice journalism.#DWNoticias /jam pic.twitter.com/7ZrKtf8sRK
— DW Español (@dw_espanol) May 3, 2024
Guatemala’s position is below Colombia, ranked 119, and Mexico at 121. El Salvador is ranked 133. The location of the Guatemalan nation in the ranking places it six positions away from being among the countries in a “very serious situation”, grouping it with nations from the Middle East and North Africa, being the lowest part of the classification.
In this last group are the areas marked in red such as the United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Palestine and Iraq. Also in that section are countries such as Venezuela, Russia, Nicaragua, Cuba and North Korea.
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