Peru: CFWIJ demands action to prevent the dissemination of hate speech against journalists

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July 16, 2021, Lima – Reporters, who were covering protests of Fujimori supporters, were physically assaulted by a group called “La Resistencia”. At least four women journalists were impeded and beaten following the demonstrations. The Coalition For Women In Journalism denounces the vicious attacks against journalists. We demand authorities act to prevent the dissemination of hate speech towards journalists. Journalists must freely do their job without facing any kind of threats. 

The journalists Fátima Chávez from Canal N; Anghela Torres, Karina Reynafarge Herrada and Juliana Oxenford from ATV were attacked during the protest on July 14 by supporters of the presidential candidate Keiko Fujimori who claimed fraud in the last presidential elections. Violence against journalists has not ceased since the electoral process began. The pressure against journalists to assume the corporate position in favour of the Popular Force candidate and the dismissals, there are also attacks on foreign correspondents and now hostility against them in street coverage.

Anghela Torres took to her Twitter account and shared the video of her when she was subjected to violence from Fujimori’s supporters. “Today I was the victim of cowardly aggression in full protest in the Center of Lima.

A woman tried to suffocate me with the flag,” she said on her social media account. She continued that the attackers did not even belong to the candidate supporters but joined the demonstration. “As a journalist, I cannot assure something that I do not know. For me, they are people who are endangering everyone and hopefully they can be identified. Thanks to those who showed solidarity with me, we keep doing our work,” she quoted.

Another colleague of the journalists Karen Camacho García also shared a video that indicated journalists who were exposed to violence. She said, Incredible attack on ATV journalists Juliana Oxenford and Karina Reynafarge Herrada. The police have to take measures to save journalists from being hit with the "poles" of their flags.”

Juliana also shared a video that she and her colleague Anghela experienced during the protests. “Here part of the aggression to Anghela Torres whom they violate for working with me. I hear how they shout my name. No more violence. Enough already!” she took to her Twitter account to share her situation. 

The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns these vicious attacks and we maintain the state of alert for the repetition of this type of aggression, which seeks to prevent the exercise of freedom of expression by intimidating journalists. We demand Peruan authorities to investigate these events and act to prevent the dissemination of hate speech against journalists.