Argentina: Journalist Mercedes Romero Intimidated By Defendant During Trial
The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the threats, calls on police and judiciary to protect the journalist
Location: Argentina, San Luis
Date: July 7, 2023
Sole detainee and accused in a brutal assault case in Los Molles threathens El Corredor Noticias journalist Mercedes Romero during court hearing. Officials present at the premises did not intervene. The Coalition For Women In Journalism expresses profound concern about the officials' inaction and calls for prompt action to safeguard the affected journalist and her family. It is imperative to implement measures that would enable her to carry out her professional duties without fear of harassment.
On Saturday, July 1st, journalist Mercedes Romero was threatened by defendant Marco Lino Rafaelli inside the Multifuero Court. The incident occurred during a break in the ongoing hearing related to the assault case in Los Molles, in which Rafaelli is implicated. Rafaelli threatened Romero with specific information about her private life and details of her home. Rafaelli is accused of being involved in a violent assault on a retired couple in the village.
The defendant previously threatened another press worked.
Romero’s newsroom stated that the incidents highlight the inadequate security afforded to the press during trial hearings and underscored the vulnerability faced by workers in the sector.
The Argentine Journalism Forum (FOPEA) extended its solidarity to Romero and denounced the incident in a tweet thread.
The Coalition for Women in Journalism stands in solidarity with Mercedes Romero and expresses deep concern regarding this criminal act occurring amidst ongoing judicial proceedings. Such actions pose a threat to the freedom of the press for all journalists in the region. We urge the judicial authorities to take appropriate measures to ensure the freedom of work and press for journalists in the face of this intimidation. Furthermore, we call upon the police authorities, as well as provincial and municipal organizations, to take necessary steps to safeguard the physical well-being of the journalist, her family, and her residence.
In early November of 2021, CFWIJ reported the cases of two women journalists who bravely came forward to share their accounts of experiencing sexual misconduct while carrying out their professional responsibilities. Carolina Ponce de León, one of the journalists, faced the distressing experience of sexual harassment and took the courageous step of filing a formal complaint.
In a display of solidarity, journalist Mariana Romero took to Twitter to reveal her own personal encounter with sexual harassment.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.
