Sixth and Seventh Journalist Killed in Honduras

by C. L. Cook

March has been a deadly month for journalists working in the country Hillary Clinton and the Obama administration recently praised for its dedication to democratic reform following the 2009 coup d'Etat that ousted democratically elected president Manuel "Mel" Zelaya.

 

The Associated Press (AP) reports today, two journalists shot down and killed in eastern Honduras brings to seven the number of media workers murdered this month alone. 

 

Radio journalists, Jose Bayardo and Manuel de Jesus Juarez were attacked as they drove down a highway in Olancho province late last night. They were killed following a broadcast from the Excelsior radio studios.

 

Police say they have no motive for the crime, but the method of the murders is similar to that of television station director, Nahum Palacios, who was too gunned down in his car as he left work on March 14th.

 

The Latin America Herald Tribune says Reporters without Borders (RSF) released a statement demanding the Honduran authorities act to stem the attacks against reporters in the country.

 

The Herald Tribune writes;

 

"In its statement Saturday, RSF also expressed concern over recent threats against the editorial staff of opposition-aligned Radio Uno in the city of San Pedro Sula, saying that that station has been in the army’s sights since the coup and that reporters were putting themselves at risk by denouncing human rights violations."

 

Both the Honduran Press Association and the Inter American Press Association expressed concern, the latter saying they were worried about the "very unfortunate, radical increase in violence against journalists."