Guyto Mathieu, the director of Radio Préférence FM in Petit-Goâve, victims of attacks

Haiti has never been a particularly safe haven for journalists. All too readily, the names of slain newsmen come to mind. This bad reputation that shouts an intolerance for freedom of the press continues with news from Reporter's Without Borders that as little as five journalists have been attacked either physically or verbally in Haiti within the last month, many in the town of Petit-Goave.

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While not exactly parallel to what has taken place in the past, given how far this bullying of reporters can go, the latest attacks on Radio Préférence FM Director Guyto Mathieu and others, seems to be the beginning of another cycle. On September 4, 2014, Mathieu was allegedly threatened at a demonstration by members of a group in opposition to the local government. He is said to be a Jacques Stevenson Thimoleon defender and, as such, put himself into the crosshairs of the opposition.

The other victims have also suffered insults, threats to their lives, and one was threatened with arrest by a judge. On August 29, 2014, one Thimoleon supporter attacked journalist Ephesien Joseph, another instance that highlights the political polarization in the capital. Also attacked were Duralph Emmanuel Francois, and Gibsonne Bazile.

Speaking on behalf of Mathieu and the other journalists, head of the Americas desk for Reporters Without Borders, Camille Soulier, urged Haitian authorities to protect the journalists in Petit-Goave. Currently, Haiti ranks 47th on Reporters Without Borders' 2014 list of press freedom index out of 180 countries.

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Read more: crime, Petit-Goave, Radio Preference, Guyto Mathieu, Media, Police - Military

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