Bolivia’s Press Under Siege: At Least 25 Journalists Assaulted During Mass Protests

Amid widespread anti-government protests sweeping Bolivia since early November, reporters and camera crews have faced escalating hostility. According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), at least 25 journalists were violently attacked—physically assaulted, harassed, or obstructed—while covering protest actions such as road blockades and strikes in Santa Cruz and other regions. These incidents, RSF warns, reflect a disturbing erosion of press freedom in one of Latin America’s most politically charged environments.

The violence has come from various sources. In several cases, journalists were attacked by police using excessive force. In others, demonstrators—some aligned with the Movement for Socialism (MAS) party—have confronted, grabbed, and threatened media personnel. Instances include confiscation of cameras and verbal assault by protesters, exacerbating the peril faced by journalists attempting to report amid civil unrest.

One particularly harrowing episode involved Unitel TV reporter Jurgen Guzmán, who was briefly threatened with hanging and had a noose tightened around his neck by protesters during a blockade near Melga on October 26. The group confiscated his camera and physically intimidated him and his team before releasing them.

These aggressive acts are symptomatic of a deeper crisis: journalists in Bolivia are increasingly vulnerable to violence, surveillance, and legal intimidation, whether from state agents or partisan protest groups. RSF is urging Bolivian authorities to prioritize the safety of journalists and respond with accountability, including transparent investigations, prosecutions, and protections for those under threat.

Moreover, the IFEX network has voiced concern over sustained abuses against the press in Bolivia, highlighting similar attacks and calling for respect of media rights.

Bolivia’s mounting unrest underscores a universal truth: accountable journalism relies on safe access to events, especially during crises. When reporters become targets, societies lose visibility into power dynamics, public safety, and democratic processes. As violence intensifies on Bolivian streets, the integrity and future of its media landscape hang in the balance, prompting urgent demands from international watchdogs for decisive action and reform.