Colombia: Telemedellín Fires Journalist Juliana Buitrago for Interview with Mayoral Candidate
The Coalition For Women In Journalism denounces wrongful termination of Buitrago, demands action from Telemedellín
Location: Colombia, Medellín
Date: October 5, 2023
"I am shocked by the matter. I feel that the press should never be restricted. I did the job as the channel instructed and don't know what happened," says journalist Juliana Buitrago after her termination by Telemedellín.
Buitrago, who received a letter of unilateral termination of her contract, accuses the director of Telemedellín Wílver Raíllo, of unjustly dismissing her. The reporter believes her contract was terminated without cause after she interviewed Albert Corredor, a candidate in the upcoming mayoral elections, about the resignation of the controversial then-mayor, Daniel Quintero Calle. The incident occurred 24 days before the elections to select a new mayor for Medellin.
The journalist believes that Corredor's critical comments about the mayor's resignation did not sit well with the news program's management, which is allegedly linked to Juan Carlos Upegui, Quintero's candidate for mayor.
Raíllo has denied these claims and justified the channel's decision to terminate Buitrago's contract. In a response to the allegations, Raíllo shared he had received a list of 23 employees allegedly campaigning for a specific candidate while holding "phantom positions" at broadcaster. Buitrago's name was on that list, although Raíllo clarified that he had no evidence of her involvement in such practices.
Raíllo further stated that the decision to terminate Buitrago's contract was not influenced by the identity of the candidate she interviewed. Instead, he claims Buitrago did not follow specific instructions about her work on the day of Quintero's resignation. He also pointed to a post on Buitrago’s Instagram with candidate Corredor, which he believes could be interpreted inappropriately.
The timing of Buitrago's termination, so close to the mayoral elections, raises suspicions of potential political interference or censorship. The unjust treatment of journalists like Buitrago undermines the very foundations of a free and democratic society. It is imperative that Telemedellín, as a reputable news outlet, upholds the principles of journalistic independence and safeguards the rights of its employees to report without fear of reprisal.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism unequivocally stands in solidarity with Juliana Buitrago. We strongly condemn the unjust termination of her contract and demand that Telemedellín provide a clear explanation for their actions and take swift measures to address this injustice.
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.