Bolivia: TV Reporter Magdalena Guzmán Cuéllar Obstructed From Covering Party Congress - Journalists Should Be Free to Report on Political Events
Location: Bolivia, Yapacaní
Date: March 19, 2023
Live coverage by Magdalena Guzmán Cuéllar of ruling party congress interrupted. Journalists obstructed. The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns attempts to hinder journalists from covering political events.
On March 19, TV journalist Magdalena Guzmán Cuéllar and her Detrás de la Verdad (DTV) press team were thrown out from the political party Movimiento Al Socialismo’s congress meeting.
DTV’s live event broadcast was interrupted three times before they removed the journalists.
Current Bolivian President Luis Arce Catacora and former President Evo Morales Ayma are battling for support within the party. Rival supporters for each clashed at the congress.
“They interrupted our work, arguing that we should not show these confrontations,” says Guzmán Cuéllar, referring to internal clashes. “Finally, they pushed us out of the Coliseum."
The journalist also noted that they had waited hours the day before to get accreditation for the event, only for it to be revoked.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the actions of Movimiento Al Socialismo. Party representatives did not want the media to report incidents of conflicts between their supporters and decided to remove the journalists. Arbitrarily revoking access to journalists covering political events is unacceptable.
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.
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