Women journalists denied access, teargassed, and physically assaulted

Location: Bolivia, La Paz
Date: June 26, 2024

Women Press Freedom strongly condemns the obstruction, harassment, and endangerment faced by journalists during the military takeover of Plaza Murillo in La Paz on June 26. The denial of access to journalists such as Claudia Morales of Reuters is an affront to press freedom and a violation of their right to report on critical events. The deployment of tear gas and the aggressive actions by Military Police soldiers created hazardous conditions that impeded the work of several dedicated journalists, including Andrea Rojas, Daniela Tacachira, Fabiola Chambi, Magaly Chuquimia, and Yolanda Mamani. These journalists were performing their essential duties to inform the public, yet they faced significant physical risks. Women Press Freedom demands that the Bolivian authorities ensure the safety and unrestricted access of journalists covering such critical events. The actions taken against these journalists not only endanger their lives but also undermine the fundamental principles of a free and independent press. We call on international bodies and press freedom organizations to join us in holding the Bolivian government accountable.

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“I tried to enter, I showed my credentials, but access was denied,” says Claudia Morales, a photojournalist for Reuters, one of the journalists who faced significant challenges while covering the military takeover of Plaza Murillo in La Paz on Wednesday, June 26. Morales was prevented from entering Plaza Murillo, the heart of La Paz's political scene, due to a blockade by Military Police soldiers.

The deployment of tear gas and aggressive actions by soldiers obstructed the efforts of, among others, Andrea Rojas, Claudia Morales, Daniela Tacachira, Fabiola Chambi, Magaly Chuquimia, and Yolanda Mamani. Veteran Bolivisión TV journalist Federico Camacho noted that several women journalists were overwhelmed by the gas, causing some to vomit from the asphyxiation.

Yolanda Mamani, a correspondent for the El Deber newspaper, described the chaotic scene where both protesters and journalists were pushed back by the advancing soldiers. She and others fled down Comercio Street, coughing and with eyes irritated from the tear gas, which forced Daniela Tacachira from Radio Soberanía del Trópico de Cochabamba to halt her reporting. 

Amid the chaos and dense clouds of tear gas, Fabiola Chambi of Voice of America sought relief by approaching improvised fires lit by demonstrators. Her attempts to capture audio and video footage were further complicated by the crowd dynamics and President Arce's appearance on the palace balcony, which drew more people into the already tense area.

Andrea Rojas, a journalist for the digital news outlet Brújula Digital, reported being unable to access Plaza Murillo for several minutes. Magaly Chuquimia of Foro Channel shared how her team was mistaken for government supporters due to their blue logo, leading to increased hostility from the protesters.

Women Press Freedom condemns these actions by the Military Police, which not only endangered the lives of journalists but also undermined their ability to report on critical events. We stand in solidarity with all journalists who were affected and demand immediate accountability and protection for the press. The right to report freely and without fear is essential for democracy and the rule of law. We call on the Bolivian government to respect and uphold press freedom and ensure the safety of all journalists.

Women Press Freedom is an initiative by The Coalition For Women In Journalism

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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