Peru: CFWIJ condemns the physical assault against journalist Stefanie Medina

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May 26, 2021- Stefanie Medina, a correspondent for the Canal N and America Television was physically attacked while covering an assignment in the southern city of Ayacucho on May 19. She was kicked by a woman in the crowd and her colleague, fellow cameraman, Carlos Brown was beaten with a stick. Both journalists barely escaped the angry mob after the presidential candidate Pedro Castillo made derogatory remarks about the Press. After his unjustified attack, a group of his supporters started attacking Stefanie and her fellow cameraman. The violent crowd hurled insults at them and tried to snatch away their professional equipment. The Coalition For Women In Journalism is saddened by the horrific nature of this act of violence against the journalist. We demand that Peruvian law enforcement authorities track down the people who attacked Stefanie and Carlos and hold them accountable in the court of law.   

As the presidential candidate Castillo took to the stage, he remarked while referring to the press that soon he is going to reveal how much the Television presenters have earned and who paid them. One of his candidates also called the press a “mermeleros media”, an insulting term that is often used to make a point that journalists are sell-outs and take bribes for the narrative they offer. Following these generalized sweeping statements from the presidential candidate, a group of his supporters in the crowd started attacking both Stefanie and Carlos. Both journalists barely escaped the angry mob after they took refuge in a state security vehicle and left the venue. 

Channel N shared the video of the violent mob gathered around Stefanie. In the video, one can see the angry group of people yelling at the journalists. Channel N stated that “our reporter Stefanie Medina recounted what happened. Stefanie shared a woman insulted her and as she was facing the crowd, the assailant woman kicked her in the back”

Stefanie stated the press team had to leave the spot as the situation got worse for them. She said we had to abandon the event in order to escape lynching. Thankfully Stefanie and Carlos did not suffer any major injuries. Stefanie also shared the details of the incident on her Twitter account. She said, “the candidate Pedro Castillo, you have the right to say whatever you want to about the media. But you do not consider that by doing so in front of thousands of people, it makes them angry and then it is us who gets insulted and beating”

The Press and Society Institute had condemned the attack and called it a blatant violation of freedom of the press. IPYS also asked the presidential candidate to not incite hate against the press in their followers as it directly affects their professional work around electoral coverage.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism strongly condemns the assault against Stefanie Medina and demands Peruvian law enforcement authorities apprehend the attackers. We also ask presidential candidates and their affiliates to let the press report freely and do not try to intimidate them for their professional activities.