JournalismPakistan.com | Published February 16, 2017
Join our WhatsApp channel
NEW YORK - Authorities in the Dominican Republic should establish a motive in the murder of radio journalists Luis Manuel Medina and Leónidas Martínez and prosecute all those responsible, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday.
The two radio journalists were shot and killed during a Facebook Live broadcast at the FM 103.5 radio station located in the southeastern city of San Pedro de Macorís in the Dominican Republic, according to press reports.
"Dominican law enforcement must act swiftly to bring the killers of journalists Luis Manuel Medina and Leónidas Martínez to justice," said Carlos Lauría, CPJ's senior program coordinator for the Americas. "The video appearing to show the journalists' final moments is a chilling reminder of the dangers that the press can face while reporting the news."
Medina, a presenter for the news program Milenio Caliente, was killed in the recording booth while filming a broadcast on Facebook Live. Before the video abruptly ends, gunshots can be heard along with a voice shouting, "Shots, shots, shots." A gunman also shot and killed Martínez, a director and producer at the radio station, and a secretary at the station, Dayana García, is in serious condition after being shot in the stomach, according to a United Press International report.
Medina reported on politics and social issues and had recently denounced pollution in Laguna Mallén, a protected lake in San Pedro de Macorís, according to a report in The Guardian. He was also the official announcer for the Estrellas Orientales baseball team, the report said.
A spokesperson for the police office in San Pedro de Macorís told CPJ that police could not release details about the investigation or a possible motive. At least 12 individuals have been interviewed, according to the spokesperson. Three men have been arrested in relation to the case but have not yet been charged, according to the BBC.
At least three journalists have been killed in direct retaliation for their work in the Dominican Republic since CPJ began recording statistics in 1992, according to CPJ research. - Committee to Protect Journalists/Image: http://www.irishtimes.com
June 11, 2025: Pakistan celebrated a narrow win over Bangladesh, but beneath the jubilation lies a deeper crisis—from sidelined veterans to a collapsing domestic structure—signaling an urgent need for cricket reform.
June 11, 2025: Journalists walked out of the post-budget press conference in Islamabad to protest the absence of a technical briefing and the government's dismissive behavior, calling it unacceptable and intolerable.
May 31, 2025: Dr. Nauman Niaz has issued a defamation notice to Shoaib Akhtar over derogatory remarks made during a recent broadcast, reigniting a longstanding media feud between the two prominent figures in Pakistan.
May 30, 2025: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has demanded the full repeal of PECA, citing its vague language, coercive powers, and threats to free speech and digital rights in Pakistan.
May 30, 2025: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has condemned the murder of journalist Syed Mohammed Shah in Jacobabad, calling for urgent justice and improved safety for media professionals in Sindh.
May 26, 2025: In Rawalpindi, police allegedly side with Jang Group to block 66 reinstated employees from resuming work despite court orders, drawing sharp criticism from unions and press freedom advocates.
May 25, 2025: PFUJ condemns the Jang Group's decision to dismiss over 80 employees in Rawalpindi, calling it an 'economic massacre.' The union warns of nationwide protests if workers are not reinstated.
May 25, 2025: Daily Jang Rawalpindi has terminated over 80 employees, including female staff, despite multiple court rulings in their favor—raising concerns over labor rights violations and misuse of authority in Pakistani media.
May 19, 2025 PJS reports 219 Palestinian journalists killed in Israeli attacks since October 7, with 30 women among the victims. Over 430 were injured and 685 family members were killed. Read more on the systematic targeting of media in Gaza.
May 15, 2025 Discover the legacy of Samiullah Khan, Pakistan’s legendary "Flying Horse," whose breathtaking speed and artistry redefined hockey. From Olympic glory to World Cup triumphs, his story is one of myth, movement, and magic.
May 04, 2025 Algerian authorities suspend Echorouk News TV for 10 days after it used a racist slur against African migrants. ANIRA demands an apology, calling it a violation of human dignity.
May 04, 2025 NCHR and MMfD launch a journalism fellowship to train reporters on digital rights & gender inclusion in Pakistan. Supported by UNESCO, this initiative aims to bridge the gender digital divide. Apply by May 15, 2025!
April 23, 2025 Discover Dr. Nauman Niaz’s In A Different Realm: Story of Quadruple & Triple Centuries 1876–2025, a profound exploration of cricket's most monumental innings, blending historical analysis with poetic narrative.