Colombia: Death Threats Addressed to Viviana Llorente Expose Risks for Press in Colombia

The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom calls for immediate protection of threatened reporter

Location: Colombia, Cali
Date: November 28, 2023

In a shocking display of hostility towards press freedom, Viviana Llorente from Noticias RCN has become the target of harassment and death threats.  The escalating threats against Llorente underscore the urgent need for robust press freedom protection. The response to her journalistic work – inundating her with intimidating messages and menacing the RCN channel's headquarters – is unacceptable and a direct threat to journalistic integrity and freedom. The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom firmly supports Viviana Llorente and strongly denounces the threats she has received. We urge authorities to take immediate action and ensure the journalist's safety and that those responsible for these threats are held responsible.

Starting November 28, Noticias RCN journalist Viviana Llorente has been bombarded with intimidating text messages, audio, calls, and video calls containing sexist language and derogatory epithets. These threats followed the release of a trailer for Llorente's investigative report titled "Mortal Passion," which delves into the escalating violence in Cali sparked by the theft of flags from the Barón Rojo Sur fan group associated with the América de Cali football team. 

The RCN channel's headquarters in Cali were adorned with banners displaying warning messages directed at Llorente and the media organization. As a result of these threats, Noticias RCN had to halt the broadcast of the complete report to prioritize the safety and well-being of its staff. 

Adding to the distress, on the same day, América de Cali released a statement on social media, rejecting the report and accusing Noticias RCN and Llorente of disseminating false information. They even held them responsible for potential acts of violence that arose as a consequence of the report.

Such messages, especially when they come from influential voices, create a hostile environment for the press. It is important to remember that if anyone disagrees with journalistic content, there are constitutional mechanisms in place, such as the request for rectification and reply, which allow for the correction of inaccurate or erroneous information.

The treatment of Viviana Llorente and her team represents a violent and disproportionate reaction to a journalistic piece highlighting a security issue of great importance to the Cali community. This situation not only puts the journalist at high risk but also violates citizens' right to receive accurate information.

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression has emphasized that violence against journalists has a threefold effect: it violates the victims' right to express and disseminate their ideas, creates a chilling effect on their colleagues, and infringes upon individuals' and societies' right to seek and receive information.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding press freedom and protecting journalists who play a crucial role in informing the public and holding power to account. It is imperative that society as a whole stands against such threats and supports the journalists who work tirelessly to bring us the truth. 

The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom stands in solidarity with Viviana Llorente, condemning the abuse she has endured. We call upon the National Police for immediate preventive measures to ensure her safety, the Attorney General's Office for a thorough investigation to identify those behind these threats, and the National Protection Unit (UNP) to assess and implement necessary protection measures for Llorente.

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.