In 2022, there were 303 attacks on journalists and the media, being the highest figure recorded so far this century, according to a report from the Journalist’s Human Rights Office (OFIP), of the National Association of Journalists of Peru (ANP).
The previous years with the greatest attacks on journalists were 2020 (239) and 2007 (212).
The months with the highest number of attacks were December (outbreak, with 63 cases), April (high social mobility – strike of heavy cargo carriers, curfew on April 5, among others – with 34 attacks) and September (preamble to elections, with 28 attacks).
The highest incidence of attacks against journalists it was the threat-harassment, with 109 registered cases; followed by physical and verbal aggression with 103. Another way of affecting the work of journalists It is with judicial intimidation and obstacles to access to information, which presented a record of 28 incidents each. There were also stigmatizing speeches (18), cyberattacks (4), arrests (4), labor damages (2) and two robberies.
In 2022, a type of attack was registered that had not happened in previous years, such as the five legislative threats that seek to penalize the leak or dissemination of information regarding effective collaboration processes and the project that seeks to aggravate the sentence for crimes against honor, among other initiatives.
The data
The bullies. Civilians were the main attackers against journalists, promoting 156 incidents; officials follow with 79 and police, military, serenazco and vigilantes with 40 attacks.