Peru: Ultra-Conservative Right Harass Investigative Reporter Paola Ugaz Yet Again
Location: Peru, Lima
Date: April 24, 2023
Third bogus legal case opened against investigative journalist Paola Ugaz after people linked to the Ultra-Conservative Right group Sodalicio de Vida Cristiana file complaint. The Coalition For Women In Journalism calls on Peruvian authorities to drop the baseless investigation clearly motivated by a targeted campaign to undermine crucial journalism.
"The incredible thing is that the Prosecutor's Office continues to open an investigation against us without any evidence," Paola Ugaz told La República newspaper in an interview after being informed she was under investigation for illegal enrichment.
Prosecutor Patricia Benavides opened the investigation into Ugaz after Luciano Revoredo, the director of the portal La Abeja, filed a complaint claiming Ugaz seized donations for personal use while working with the press team of the former mayor of Lima Susana Villarán.
The investigation is part of a string of legal actions following Ugaz investigations into the Ultra-Conservative Right group Sodalicio de Vida Cristiana. Ugaz exposed how the powerful religious group committed and covered up sexual, physical, and psychological abuse. She is now investigating its financing.
"People linked to the Sodalicio seek to damage our reputation as journalists,” says Ugaz, adding that they “use the office of the prosecution and the judiciary as a whip against journalists, spread false news to delegitimize our investigations and intimidate us."
“People linked to the Sodalicio seek to damage our reputation as journalists, use the office of the prosecution and the judiciary as a whip against journalists, spread false news to delegitimize our investigations and intimidate us”
The CFWIJ has documented the ongoing abuse faced by Ugaz due to her reporting on Sodalicio de Vida Cristiana.
Luciano Revoredo, who has filed three complaints against Ugaz thus far, allegedly has close ties with the religious group Ugaz has been investigating.
He first sued the investigative journalist on September 6, 2019, for aggravated defamation. According to Revoredo, Ugaz falsely accused his publication La Abeja of publishing lies.
In 2020, Diario Expreso and Revoredo’s La Abeja published articles accusing Ugaz of money laundering. Ugaz denounced La Abeja's allegations. In retaliation, Revoredo filed a second defamation lawsuit against her. Ugaz was acquitted in June 2022 due to a lack of evidence.
Press Freedom Peru
Organized judicial harassment against journalists is on the rise in Peru and other Latin American countries. High-profile individuals and influential organizations use lawsuits to intimidate journalists reporting on them.
In 2022, Amnesty International documented 303 attacks, ranging from verbal and physical violence, threats, and harassment, to legal prosecution.
Paola Ugaz is a prominent Peruvian investigative journalist. During her journalistic career, Ugaz has covered many issues, including scandals and abuse in the Catholic church, election fraud, human and drug trafficking, corruption, child poverty, education, and culture. Ugaz is a former Europa Press correspondent. She is a founding member of IDL Reporteros and former General Editor of lamula.pe.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism stands in solidarity with Paola Ugaz. We condemn the ongoing abuse of the legal system to dismiss and discredit her reputation as a journalist. Censoring media freedom hampers the public's right to information, key criteria for upholding democratic values. We demand the Prosecutor's Office thoroughly vet the complaints it receives before opening an investigation.
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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