Ecuador: CFWIJ condemns the threat against journalist Dayanna Monroy by former president

January 30, 2021, Ecuador — Journalist Dayanna Monroy was publicly denounced again by former president Abdalá Bucaram, who has expressed his desire to kill her. The Coalition For Women In Journalism is very concerned about the possible threat to the journalist’s life and demands the authorities ensure her safety.

A few days ago, journalist Efrain Ruales was killed in Ecuador. He was known for his critical coverage of corruption, especially that related to the purchase of public hospitals in the city of Guayaquil, Ecuador. 

People on social media have speculated that the gunmen who shot Efrain received direct killing orders from the former president’s family. In the video, Abdalá talks about his family being discredited by the press. The former president defended the allegations, saying if he were to murder someone, it would be Fidel Egas. 

Fidel Egas is the owner of Banco del Pichincha, the biggest bank in Ecuador. He was the former owner of Teleamazonas, where Dayanna works. Fidel Egas was forced to sell Teleamazonas due to the law imposed under the administration of Rafael Correa, but he remains closely tied to the TV station.

Abdalá accused Fidel Egas of being a pedophile and financing the coup. Abdalá continued to say he wanted to kill Dayanna for her Teleamazonas campaign, which he claims defamed his family, including his son Jacob Bucaram Pulley.

The former president Abdalá Bucara recently filed a complaint against the journalist. Dayanna spoke to CFWIJ about those attempts to intimidate and silence her.

“As a result of my reporting, Abdalá Bucara is now facing charges in three different cases. His complaint refers to so-called ‘sensitive data exposure’. It came to the light shortly after he released a video on his social media in which he openly attacked me”.

“If I wanted to kill somebody, it would be Dayanna Monroy”, said Abdala in his widely seen and shared speech on Twitter.

When asked how such continuous persecution affects her, Dayanna said: “I feel exhausted and annoyed. I don't want to think of that as an inherent part of my job. I have been receiving threats for 10 years. Thus, from the very first moment, I got myself into investigating corruption. However, it was never as bad as it is now”.  

Dayanna admits the last days were very complicated and intense. The whole situation costs her a lot of energy and causes severe stress. However, these vicious attacks don’t stop her from pursuing her coverage. “I remain very dedicated to journalism, to my job”, she assures.  

CFWIJ is following the attacks on Dayanna with great concern. In November 2020, she was targeted with an online smear campaign over her coverage that revealed Jacob Bucaram Pulley’s involvement in organized crime. The CFWIJ denounces the continued threats against Dayanna, and we urge Ecuadorian authorities to hold the perpetrators responsible.