The insecurity experienced by the country affects all areas of society, and this does not exclude social communication.

Digital media journalist GK Karol Noroña had to leave Ecuador to protect her safety. She dealt with topics related to the prison crisis and organized crime, and last Friday “information about the situation” appeared, which threatened her life and physical integrity. The media stated that they publicized the case because it shows the risks faced by those engaged in this profession. Nine days ago, Ecuavisa communicator Lenin Artieda received an explosive flash drive in an envelope. Three other communicators from different mediums also received artifacts of this type.

The recent murders of a journalist in Manabi and another in El Oro have not been forgotten either. The cases are still not solved.

Organizations such as Fundamedios have rejected the attacks and are asking the state to guarantee journalists the freedom to work. The Free Journalists’ Network expressed the need to create a protocol for identifying dangerous situations in order to be able to act quickly.

Bombings and threats, an account of attacks by criminal groups on the media in Ecuador

In addition, the Inter-American Press Association (SIP) recently called on the authorities to guarantee the safety of journalist workers.

Journalism has never been without its risks, but the violence with which criminal organizations operate clearly raises the alarm for those who bring information to the community every day.

Like all citizens, journalists have the right to work safely, and the state is obliged to enable them to do so. Journalism enables another universal right of citizens: the right to information.

At the bottom of this page there is a phrase by Luis A. de Bonaldo that clearly describes the role of the press and this must be remembered, because if journalists are not free to do their work, they are in danger of the death of the values ​​of democracy. (OR)