Colombia: journalist killed by hitmen in home
The death of a radio station director marks the first in the region this year.
The National Union of Journalists has joined the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) in condemning the murder of Maradanio Mejía in Sucre. The Sonora Estéreo radio station director was murdered by gunmen on 24 January; it is unclear whether he had received threats related to his journalistic work. A reward of 20 million pesos has been offered by authorities to those able to provide information about the crime.
The IFJ and Colombian Federation of Journalists have called for an urgent investigation into Mejía’s death, with consideration given to his role as a journalist as a possible motive for the crime.
The NUJ supports the IFJ’s call for improved protections to ensure journalists’ safety, and for an end to the impunity enjoyed by perpetrators of these crimes.