The Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, has condemned the killing on 11 June of journalist José Libardo Montenegro in Samaniego, in the department of Nariño, in the south of Colombia, urging the authorities to investigate this crime.
“I condemn the murder of José Libardo Montenegro,” said the Director-General. “I trust that the authorities will investigate this crime which undermines three freedoms that are essential to any democratic society: freedom of the press, of expression and of information. Community journalists like Mr Libardo Montenegro play an essential role in providing pertinent information to and telling the stories of communities that are often unreported by major media.”
José Libardo Montenegro, a news reporter for community radio Samaniego Estéreo, was killed by unknown assailants. The journalist was an active member of the Community Radio Stations for Peace and Coexistence’ project.
UNESCO promotes the safety of journalists through global awareness-raising, capacity building and a range of actions, notably the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity.
See also: UNESCO condemns the killing of journalists.
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Media contact: Sylvie Coudray, s.coudray@unesco.org, +33 (0)1 45 68 08 91