Colombian Journalists Face Death Threats After Reporting on Criminal Groups in Cauca and Valle

August 01, 2024 – Colombia – 

Journalists from the Proclama de Cauca y Valle media network are facing a wave of death threats following their reporting on the activities of armed criminal groups in southwestern Colombia. The threats, delivered through anonymous messages on July 10, 24, and 27, 2024, warned the outlet’s staff to stop publishing sensitive content or face fatal consequences. The July 27 threat was particularly explicit, escalating fears for the safety of both journalists and their families.

The Proclama network operates across a region long troubled by the presence of armed factions, drug traffickers, and illegal mining operations. Its journalists have continued to report on violence, corruption, and the socio-political impact of criminal groups, despite the known risks. The newsroom reported that these threats have severely impacted its operations, forcing staff to curtail field reporting and increasing internal security concerns.

The Colombian Federation of Journalists (FECOLPER) condemned the threats, urging the national government to take immediate action to ensure the safety of all Proclama staff. FECOLPER president Jorge Velásquez Crespo called on the Ministry of the Interior, the Human Rights Directorate, and the national police to investigate the source of the threats and provide protective measures. He emphasized that journalism in Colombia remains a “high-risk profession” and that journalists must not be left to defend themselves alone.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) also joined the condemnation, stating that such intimidation is a direct attack on press freedom and the public’s right to information. The IFJ emphasized that when criminal groups succeed in silencing journalists, entire communities are left vulnerable to disinformation, fear, and impunity.

This case reflects a broader pattern in Colombia, where journalists—particularly those working in rural or conflict-affected regions—are regularly threatened, harassed, or attacked for exposing the truth. Despite peace accords and government commitments to protect the press, threats and impunity persist.

The situation of Proclama de Cauca y Valle serves as a stark reminder that without strong institutional support and legal protection, the cost of reporting the truth in Colombia can be life itself.

Reference – 

Colombia: Journalists from the Proclama de Cauca and Valle media network threatened – IFJ