Peru: Juliana Oxenford Ousted Amid Political Pressure and Far-Right Influence
Despite attracting a large audience, Oxenford was dismissed from her position
Location: Peru, Lima
Date: December 1, 2023
The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom is outraged by the recent developments involving the unjust dismissal of Juliana Oxenford from ATV network in Peru. Her dismissal, under what appears to be political pressure and influence from far-right businessmen, is a stark violation of journalistic integrity and freedom of the press. The decision to replace her with a more compliant journalist suggests a dangerous precedent where media freedom is compromised in favor of political interests. The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom stands firmly behind Juliana Oxenford. We strongly denounce the abuse and intimidation she has been subjected to and call upon the network to issue a public apology to her. Furthermore, we urge the authorities to thoroughly investigate this case, ensuring that those responsible for their misconduct are held accountable.
“I believe that the best way to defend myself is to continue doing journalism and speaking out about the things I believe in”
"I believe that the best way to defend myself is to continue doing journalism and speaking out about the things I believe in," renowned journalist Juliana Oxenford tells CFWIJ in response to the relentless harassment she has faced and her job termination due to her coverage of the 2021 presidential elections in Peru.
In the wake of the recent political upheaval in Peru, one of the country's most prominent journalists, Juliana Oxenford, has found herself at the center of a storm of controversy and intimidation. The outspoken journalist, known for her critical coverage of both left and right-wing political factions, has been targeted with a barrage of online attacks, public insults, and even threats to her personal safety.
"I am a mother of two small children, I fear for their safety when going out alone," says the journalist to CFWIJ.
Oxenford's ordeal began during the 2021 presidential elections when she was accused of supporting the left-wing candidate, Pedro Castillo, over his right-wing opponent, Keiko Fujimori. Despite her efforts to provide balanced coverage of both candidates, Oxenford was labeled a terrorist and a communist by Fujimori's supporters. The attacks escalated after Castillo's victory, with Oxenford becoming a target for right-wing retaliation.
“By providing equal coverage to both candidates, I was branded as a terrorist. I've been targeted with name-calling and accusations of backing a terrorist group. I acknowledged the potential in both candidates without favoring one, which led to these attacks.” adds Oxenford.
“By providing equal coverage to both candidates, I was branded as a terrorist”
Despite the hostility, Oxenford's television program maintained high ratings, even seeing an increase in viewership in 2023 compared to 2021. However, in a move that Oxenford believes was politically motivated, her contract was not renewed. The network replaced her with a more compliant journalist, effectively silencing one of the few critical voices in Peruvian media.
Oxenford's dismissal, which she addressed in her last televised show, sparked outrage among her supporters and fellow journalists, who see it as an attack on press freedom and democracy. They argue that her removal is part of a broader pattern of political interference in the media, reminiscent of the authoritarian tactics employed during the Fujimori dictatorship in the 1990s.
The current political landscape in Peru is complex and fraught with tension. The left-wing government of Pedro Castillo was ousted in a coup in December 2022, replaced by Dina Boluarte, who Oxenford describes as a puppet of the right wing. The Congress, she argues, now holds absolute power, effectively creating a parliamentary dictatorship.
Despite the challenges, Oxenford remains defiant. She plans to continue her work, possibly through online platforms, and to keep speaking out against corruption and injustice. She acknowledges that her outspokenness will likely continue to make her a target, but she is determined to uphold the principles of journalism and democracy.
The saga of Juliana Oxenford serves as a stark reminder of the threats facing journalists worldwide. In an era of increasing political polarization and authoritarianism, the role of the media as a check on power is more critical than ever. As Oxenford's case illustrates, those who dare to speak truth to power often do so at great personal risk. But as she herself has shown, the pursuit of truth and justice is a cause worth fighting for.
2021 Peruvian Presidential Election Controversy
Following a transparent election, as confirmed by both national and international observers, the position taken by Keiko Fujimori, the daughter of incarcerated former autocrat Alberto Fujimori, emboldened the far-right faction. They pledged their refusal to acknowledge the outcome of the election, which chose Pedro Castillo as the future president of Peru. Lima's elite motivations extended beyond a mere desire to retain power. Their reluctance to acknowledge Pedro Castillo's victory stemmed from an attempt to invalidate the rural vote altogether. Despite the official count revealing that leftist candidate Pedro Castillo secured 50.12% of the vote, giving him a lead of approximately 44,000 votes over his far-right opponent Keiko Fujimori, Fujimori alleged fraud. She contested around 500,000 votes and demanded that half of them be invalidated, prompting electoral officials in Peru to reevaluate the ballots. However, no substantial evidence of any wrongdoing was presented to support these claims.
On December 7, 2022, Pedro Castillo attempted a self-coup to dissolve Congress, citing their obstruction of his proposed policies. Consequently, the legislative body swiftly responded by impeaching and removing him from office on the same day.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom firmly stands in solidarity with Juliana Oxenford, providing unwavering support during this challenging time. Oxenford's coverage of the 2021 presidential election in Peru has been nothing short of courageous and exemplary. Despite facing a storm of insults, continuous harassment, and threats from far-right advocates of presidential hopeful Keiko Fujimori, she maintained her professional dedication to unbiased reporting. This unwavering commitment to journalistic ethics in the face of such adversity is commendable.
We are alarmed to hear that Oxenford, a mother of two, fears for her personal safety and that of her children. This is a clear indication of the severity of the threats she is facing. It is unacceptable for any journalist to feel threatened while performing her professional duties.
The fact that Oxenford's television program maintained high ratings and increased viewership in 2023 is a testament to her quality as a journalist and the public's trust in her reporting. The decision to replace her with a more compliant journalist suggests a dangerous precedent where media freedom is compromised in favor of political interests.
We demand that the network apologize to the journalist and call upon authorities to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the threats and unfair dismissal, ensuring that those responsible are held accountable. We perceive this as a blatant assault on the freedom of the media. It is crucial to safeguard journalists and provide them with the essential guarantees to fulfill their professional responsibilities without any obstacles or apprehension of reprisal. Without this, democracy cannot flourish.
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.