When a group of masked, armed men stormed the TC Television network studios in Guayaquil, Ecuador during a live broadcast in January, the lack of security Ecuadorian journalists experience today was exposed. Violence against reporters in the country isn’t new as of this incident a few months ago, but it has escalated as drug traffickers have gained more control over certain territories.
Death threats against the media doubled in Ecuador from last year s figures, three press associations denounced in Quito Thursday during a press conference. At least 15 journalists have received life-threatening messages amid growing violence nationwide.
Periodistas Sin Cadenas, Voces del Sur, Red Leal and IFEX-ALC strongly condemn the serious press freedom and freedom of expression violations that have taken place recently in Ecuador. As a result of these violations, two journalists have been forced into exile within the first few months of 2023.