With 20 journalists murdered in the Americas since April this year, the Inter-American Press Association (IAPA) has described the last sixth months as the most lethal period in the carrying out of journalistic activity in the region.

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"Eight journalists were killed in Mexico, seven in the United States, two in Brazil, two in Colombia and one in Nicaragua. All of them were young professionals who were carrying out tasks of great value for their respective communities, but which were not agreeable for some people, who began to annoy, threaten and attack them, until they did away with them physically," the association noted.

At least 30 journalists have been killed since the start of the year. The increase in threats, aggression and murder of journalists was among the concerns discussed at the IAPA 74TH General Assembly, which ended on October 22 after four days of deliberation in Argentina.

"The insults against the press and journalists, which on occasions take on the character of real campaigns of defamation, have multiplied in various countries, such as Argentina, Colombia, El Salvador, Honduras, Peru and the United States," the group stated.

"The threats in many countries have become physical aggression. Thus in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Peru and Venezuela, members of the press have had to put up with violent attacks, attempts at kidnapping or assaults, often with the destruction of their work equipment."

On October 19, former Trinidad and Tobago talk show host, Ricardo Welch known as the 'Gladiator', was murdered as he pulled out of his driveway. He was shot by three men who then escaped in a waiting vehicle.

Prior to this, the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Saudi Arabia on October 2 had sparked an international uproar and has placed the Saudi government under intense scrutiny, after it was revealed that Khashoggi was killed in the consulate in Istanbul. Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist, was a Saudi and was extremely critical of the country's leaders.

President of the Press Association of Jamaica, George Davis, noted that Khashoggi's murder is an indication of how far powerful forces are willing to go to impede the work of journalists.

nadine.wilson@gleanerjm.com [4]