An international press freedom group has called on the government of Honduras to fully investigate the murders of journalists, following the murder of a Honduran radio reporter Tuesday.
A spokesman for the International Press Institute, Anthony Mills, said in a statement Wednesday that Honduras has become one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists. Mills said it is vital that Honduran authorities investigate the killings, so a culture of impunity is not allowed to thrive.
Radio reporter Israel Zelaya Diaz was shot and killed Tuesday, becoming the ninth journalist killed in Honduras this year.
Police say gunmen kidnapped the 62-year-old veteran journalist in the northern city of San Pedro Sula. His body was later discovered in a sugar cane field. He had been shot in the head.
The International Press Institute says Honduras has seen a spate of attacks against journalists since the ouster of former President Manuel Zelaya in June 2009.
The group says Honduras is the second most dangerous country in the world for journalists this year, behind Mexico, where 10 journalists have been killed so far since the start of the year.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP.
