Journalist should never have been fired and sued for discussing sexual harassment at Albavisión

Location: Paraguay, Asunción

Date: April 9, 2024

Women Press Freedom stands in support of Angie Prieto, celebrating her recent acquittal in a pivotal libel suit brought against her by her former employer, Albavisión. This case is not just about Prieto; it represents a broader fight for justice and the protection of women in the media sector from sexual harassment. Angie Prieto's brave decision to discuss incidents of workplace harassment within a private WhatsApp group sparked significant change, demonstrating the power and necessity of solidarity and voice in combating systemic issues. Despite facing daunting legal challenges, including defamation charges, her courage has helped highlight harassment that too many women journalists endure silently. In response to the verdict, the Minister of Labor has committed to collaborating on the implementation of protocols to combat harassment in the media sector. Women Press Freedom extends its congratulations to Prieto for her win, expressing hopes that this court ruling will contribute to the improvement of working conditions for women journalists in Paraguay. We hope Prieto’s win and courage to take a stand will inspire her fellow media professionals to speak out against workplace sexual harassment.

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Outside a court in Asunción, a group of women rallied around journalist Angie Prieto with a powerful message: “Angie, you are not alone.” 

The former Channel 9, Albavisión presenter was facing defamation charges for speaking out against sexual harassment at the network. 

Prieto was fired from Albavisión after participating in the #YoTeCreo (I Believe You) WhatsApp group, where discussions on business management and sexual harassment complaints at the company surfaced. This group revealed a toxic culture at the network, leading several media workers to resign in April 2022 due to instances of alleged sexual violence and harassment by press manager Carlos Granada. Granada now faces criminal charges for his alleged misconduct, as multiple women courageously stepped forward to report incidents of harassment, coercion, and abuse.

Inspired by the bravery of those who spoke out against Granada, Prieto and her colleagues initiated protests against the sexist culture prevalent at the television channel in May 2022, birthing the #YoTeCreo (I Believe You) movement. Their activism was met with resistance from Albavisión's management, who initiated disciplinary actions against the protesting employees.

The libel case against Prieto was brought by Marcelo Fleitas, a manager at the station, who accused Prieto of falsely implicating him in covering up cases of sexual and workplace harassment. 

Prieto’s legal team argued that the defamation lawsuit was orchestrated by the channel's general manager to justify Prieto's dismissal and deny her compensation for her 13 years of service.

Noelia Díaz, a key witness from the Network of Women Journalists and Communicators of Paraguay, testified that the message in question was authored by the Network in solidarity with the victims, effectively debunking the accusation against Prieto.

On April 9, 2024, the court ruled there was no proof Prieto authored the information that sparked Fleitas’ accusation. The judge acquitted her of the libel charge.

Prieto said her acquittal brings "a little justice to all the women" facing workplace violence. She condemned the judicial persecution against women who report such violence and demanded decent work environments for women media workers. 

Following the verdict, the Minister of Labor pledged to collaborate on implementing protocols against harassment in the media, an essential step towards ensuring a safe and respectful work environment for journalists.

Prieto's case sheds light on the pervasive issue of sexual harassment of women journalists in 

Paraguay, where a staggering six out of every 10 media workers have experienced harassment, often at the hands of superiors or colleagues. Most of these cases go unreported, as journalists fear retaliation and social stigma for speaking out.

Women Press Freedom welcomes Angie Prieto’s acquittal and commends the journalist for taking a stand against the sexual harassment experienced by her colleagues. This defamation case was brought against Prieto to stop her from speaking out; instead, her acquittal shines a spotlight on both her unjust dismissal and the pervasive harassment of women media workers at Albavisión. In the wake of Prieto's triumph, we must continue to advocate for systemic changes that address the root causes of sexual harassment and ensure accountability for perpetrators.

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.

If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.