Belize Journalist Louis Wade Assaulted by Police Amid Reporting, RSF Calls for Investigation

On February 27, 2025, Louis “Ljay” Wade, a reporter for Belize’s independent PlusTV, was physically assaulted by police officers in Belmopan while covering the recovery of two drowning victims. According to Wade, officers pinned him against a gate, seized his phone multiple times, and demanded he delete his footage or face charges. He refused and subsequently filed a formal complaint against the officers on March 4.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemned the incident, urging Belizean authorities to conduct an independent and transparent investigation. RSF emphasized the importance of press freedom and the need for police to respect journalists’ rights to report without fear of retaliation. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams expressed concern over the assault, acknowledging that such behavior undermines public trust in law enforcement and calling for better protection of media workers.

While police mistreatment of journalists is relatively rare in Belize, RSF noted that political figures and government members sometimes display contempt for the press, complicating journalists’ access to information. Belize ranks 54th out of 180 countries in RSF’s 2024 World Press Freedom Index, reflecting a mixed environment for media freedom.

This incident underscores the ongoing challenges journalists face in protecting their rights and underscores the need for robust mechanisms to ensure accountability and safeguard press freedom.