IFJ Condemns Killing of Camerman Covering Gang Conflict in Panama

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today condemned the killing of a Panamanian television cameraman and photographer who was stabbed while covering a gang fight in Panama City.

Eliécer Santamaría died in the early morning hours on Tuesday after he was stabbed while on assignment covering a story about gangs exchanging gunfire in the capital, according to reports.

“This killing highlights the dangers that journalists face when they cover news in their own countries,” said IFJ Deputy General Secretary Paco Audije. “While war reporting takes many lives, our colleagues are often much more vulnerable when reporting on criminal activity in their own communities.”

The IFJ is calling on Panamanian authorities to launch a full investigation and bring Santamaría’s killers to justice.

For more information contact the IFJ at + 32 2 235 2207

The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 120 countries worldwide