National Press Club Statement on Murder of Guatemalan Journalists

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Aug 15, 2023, 18:51 ET

WASHINGTON, Aug. 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Following is a statement from Eileen O'Reilly, president of the National Press Club, and Gil Klein, president of the National Press Club Journalism Institute, on the murders of Edin Alonso and Hugo Gutiérrez, operators of Noticas Caballo Blanco (White Horse News), in Guatemala on August 11.

"We are outraged by the murders of Guatemalan journalists Edin Alonso and Hugo Gutiérrez, operators of the Facebook news site Noticias Caballo Blanco, in the town of Retalhuleu. These are the third and fourth murders of Guatemalan journalists and the 14th and 15th murder of Latin American journalists in 2023.

We are exceedingly concerned about these murders taking place on the eve of Guatemala's controversial presidential election. We call on the Guatemalan government to fully investigate these murders and bring the killers to justice."

Founded in 1908, the National Press Club is the world's leading professional organization for journalists. The Club has 3,000 members representing nearly every major news organization and is a leading voice for press freedom in the U.S. and worldwide.

The National Press Club Journalism Institute promotes an engaged, global citizenry through an independent and free press and equips journalists with the skills and standards to inform the public in ways that inspire a more representative democracy. The NPCJI is the nonprofit affiliate of the National Press Club.

Contact: Bill McCarren, 202-662-7534 for The National Press Club

SOURCE National Press Club