Press unions denounce dismissals and harassment of journalists

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican College of Journalists (CDP), the National Union of Press Workers (SNTP), and the Association of Photojournalists have publicly denounced a growing wave of dismissals, threats, mistreatment, and restrictions targeting journalists and media professionals across the country.

More than 40 journalists have reportedly been dismissed, many allegedly by the Directorate of Communication (Diecom). CDP President Aurelio Henríquez labeled the dismissals as excessive and called on President Luis Abinader to investigate the incidents and reassign the affected professionals. He also condemned physical attacks against journalists by police and military personnel, including an incident involving reporters questioning Interior and Police Minister Faride Raful.

SNTP Secretary General José Beato pledged to take legal action against any aggression or intimidation directed at media workers. Meanwhile, the Photojournalists Association denounced the forced removal of veteran photojournalist Franklin Guerrero from a public event, calling it an act of censorship and disrespect.

The organizations emphasized that the press must be free to report, and urged the government to uphold protections for journalists as essential contributors to democracy.