PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti, Mar. 20, CMC – The United Nation’s culture agency, – the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) says armed gangs are attacking media outlets to scare journalists and create chaos as the country continues to struggle with political, economic, and security problems.
The UN says gangs recently targeted three media companies and according Frantz Duval, editor of Le Nouvelliste, Haitian journalists have faced attacks for a long time.
He said a year ago, Le Nouvelliste’s office was destroyed, and other media outlets were also attacked. In addition, armed gangs now control most of Port-au-Prince, affecting businesses and individuals.
Duval says his newspaper, which is 127 years old, has never faced a crisis this bad. In the past, even during political unrest or the 2010 earthquake, they resumed work quickly. But now, traveling in Port-au-Prince is too dangerous. Journalists avoid areas with violence, so news coverage is limited.
Duval explains that when their office was attacked in March 2024, the staff had already left, but their printing presses and archives were lost. They couldn’t enter the area for ten months because of gangs. Now, the newspaper only publishes online.
Hervé LeRouge, CEO of Le National, says his media companies haven’t been attacked, but his construction businesses were. Gangs destroyed his facilities, and one of his employees, who had worked for him for 15 years, was killed.
Haitian media rely on advertising for income, but businesses are struggling, so ad revenue has dropped. Duval says there are no government funds to support the press.
LeRouge employs 51 people at his TV station and newspaper, but revenue is too low to pay them. He uses money from his other businesses to cover salaries because there are no jobs elsewhere. He sees journalism as a public service.
UNESCO’s Eric Voli Bi says the situation is serious. The attacks aim to stop the media from informing the public. UNESCO is calling for action to protect journalists and their workplaces.
Voli Bi says Haiti needs basic security for the media to survive. UNESCO is helping the government improve the state broadcaster and is using radio and social media to spread reliable information.
Voli Bi says knowing the truth can save lives. People rely on the news to find safe places and avoid danger.
He warned that gangs want to cut off the public from information to create more chaos. Press freedom is essential for transparency and stability in a country already suffering from violence and disorder.
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