Violence Once Again Directed Towards Freedom of Speech | Honduras Five Journalists Killed

Honduras (Apr 1) – The task of providing accurate reports of the day’s events has become an increasingly dangerous endeavor. The United Nations is reporting today; five journalists in Honduras alone have been murdered.

The most recent two radio journalists defending freedom of speech were brutally gunned down as they were driving home after hosting a radio program in Catacamas, Honduras. The car in which Jose Bayardo Mairena, and Manuel Juarez were driving in was riddled with bullets by unidentified armed terrorists.

Last month three other journalists Nahum Palacios Artega, radio host David Meza, and reporter Joseph Hernandez Ochoa were all killed in acts of violence targeted to suppress freedom of speech. An additional journalist was reportedly seriously injured as well.

A non-governmental organization, Reporters Without Borders, has declared Mexico and Honduras the two most dangerous countries in the Western Hemisphere for journalists.

Records indicate, last year alone 77 journalists were murdered worldwide, which is a drastic increase from prior years due to a single act of terrorism designed to suppress freedom of speech the incident occurred on November 23, 2009. In that incident alone 30 journalists died during an ambush in the Phillipines.

Ms. Irina Bokova, Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) released the following statement today, “Such despicable crimes against media professionals undermine the fundamental right of freedom of information, cornerstone of a democratic society,” adding “I call on the Honduran authorities to make every possible effort to arrest the perpetrators and put an end to this unprecedented and intolerable wave of violence.”

Accurate and fair journalism is the cornerstone to the spread of freedom and democracy, and the loss of life by acts of terrorism should be denounced worldwide. WorldNewsVine expresses their condolences to the families of those that have given their lives in defense of Freedom of Speech.