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May 12, 2025 – Haiti –
In Haiti, journalists are increasingly under siege as gang violence spreads unchecked and state institutions collapse. The story of Velondie Miracle, a young Haitian reporter, captures the urgent crisis facing the country’s press. After surviving an abduction and narrowly escaping execution by gang members, Miracle is now in hiding. Her experience is not unique—dozens of journalists have been threatened, attacked, or killed simply for doing their jobs.
Miracle was reporting on community struggles in Port-au-Prince when she was kidnapped. She believes her attackers targeted her for her coverage, which highlighted corruption, insecurity, and the growing influence of criminal networks. After being held at gunpoint and interrogated, she was eventually released. The ordeal left her shaken but more determined to expose the truth.
Haiti has long been a dangerous place for journalists, but the risks have intensified dramatically in recent years. Gangs now control more than 80% of the capital, and the state is largely absent. Law enforcement agencies are overwhelmed, and many journalists report that they no longer feel protected by the government. Some are fleeing the country; others, like Miracle, have gone underground to avoid retaliation.
The media climate in Haiti has worsened as the political situation deteriorates. Independent journalism is one of the few remaining checks on power, but those who practice it are now labeled enemies by criminal groups and even some officials. The absence of press freedom has allowed violence, extortion, and human rights abuses to flourish without scrutiny.
International watchdogs and press freedom advocates have called for immediate action to protect journalists in Haiti. They urge the international community to support independent media and press the Haitian government to restore order and accountability. Meanwhile, journalists like Miracle continue working in secret, using anonymous sources and secure communication to report on their country’s unraveling crisis.
Miracle’s survival story serves as a stark reminder of the sacrifices journalists make in the pursuit of truth—and the critical need to safeguard press freedom in places where it’s most at risk.
Reference –
https://ground.news/article/why-journalists-are-being-hunted-in-haiti-velondie-miracles-story
