Location: Chile, Santiago       
Date: May 13, 2022

Francisca Sandoval succumbed to her wounds 12 days after being shot in the head during Labor Day protests in Barrio Meiggs, Santiago. Francisca, 29, is the first journalist killed in Chile since Augusto Pinochet’s dictatorship ended in 1990. The Coalition For Women In Journalism is horrified at the violence incurred on the journalist and mourns her loss. We call on the authorities to ensure that perpetrators of violence against women journalists are held to account. Members of the press must be able to report freely in safe working conditions. 

Francisca, a reporter with local broadcaster Canal Señal 3 La Victoria, was shot allegedly by a street vendor when violence broke out amid May 1 protests in Barrio Meiggs, a flea market district in the heart of Santiago. She was reporting on demonstrations in the capital when a group of men opened fire after protestors attempted to enter commercial premises. Two other journalists at the scene were injured in the shooting. 

“Francisca did not leave us. They murdered her,” posted Canal Señal 3 La Victoria on Twitter confirming her death on May 12. 

The independent media outlet vowed to find the truth regarding the circumstances of her death.  “With these words we confirm the death of our dear Fran. We will miss you and will do everything possible to find the truth.”

Two days after the shooting, which the CFWIJ documented at the time, a citizen Marcelo Naranjo was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, illegal possession of a firearm and unjustified discharge of the weapon in public. A Colombian and a Venezuelan citizen were also held under house arrest in connection with the incident, reported The Guardian.

The arrested suspect reportedly has a criminal record of possession of firearms and drug trafficking. After Francisca’s death, Tania Sironvalle, from the public prosecutor’s office confirmed that the charges against him would be reviewed.

Francisca is the first journalist to be killed in the line of duty since the Pinochet dictatorship. In 1986, nearly 36 years ago, journalist José Carrasco was abducted from his home days after a failed assasination attempt on the dictator. His body was found riddled with bullets hours after his abduction.

In recent years, the country has plummeted on the World Press Freedom Index. It ranked 82nd on the 2022 index published by Reporters Sans Frontières (RSF) earlier this month, with increasing violence against media outlets recorded and media ownership in the country dominated by two main groups. 

Two days after the shooting, as Francisca battled for life in the hospital, Chilean President Gabriel Boric visited her family. On May 3, World Press Freedom Day, he expressed his concern for her health and promised to ensure justice. 

Shortly after Francisca’s death, the president expressed his condolences to her family and pledged to “not allow impunity” for her killing. “Violence harms democracy and irreparable damages families. Our commitment is to ensure security and bring justice, and we will not rest in that desire."

The loss of the brave journalist and the violent circumstances of her death sparked outrage and grief in the capital. Several vigils were held as friends, family, colleagues and other citizens mourned her death. 

On Twitter, her employer media outlet Canal Señal 3 La Victoria launched a campaign with the hashtag #JusticiaParaFranciscaSandoval. 

Hundreds of people gathered at Plaza Baquedano, commonly known as Plaza Italia, which has been the epicenter of the “social outbreak” protest movement in Santiago since 2019. Clashes between the mourners and the police were reported with the latter accused of unleashing water cannons to disperse the demonstrators. 

The Coalition For Women In Journalism extends its deepest condolences to Francisca Sandoval’s friends and family and the press community at large. We mourn her loss and demand a swift investigation. Journalists covering protests in Chile have become exceedingly vulnerable to threats in recent years with groups allegedly being formed to target them. We call on the authorities to ensure justice and hold those responsible to account. President Boric must live up to his promise and “not allow impunity” for Francisca’s killing. Journalists must be free to report on matters of public concern without fear of threats to their life and person. 

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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