John Otis

John Otis, CPJ's Andes correspondent for the Americas program, works as a reporter for NPR. He authored the 2010 book Law of the Jungle about U.S. military contractors kidnapped by Colombian rebels. He is based in Bogotá, Colombia

Features & Analysis
People remain stranded at the North Bus Terminal in Medellin, Antioquia department, on January 5, 2012 during an armed strike imposed by the criminal gang Los Urabeños. (Raul Arboleda/AFP)

Criminal gangs intimidate, silence Córdoba journalists

At most newspapers, reporting for the society page isn’t especially dangerous. But in the northern Colombian department of Córdoba, which is under siege from drug-trafficking gangs, even covering birthday parties can be risky.

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Features & Analysis
The media strategy of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, shown after casting his ballot in Sunday's election, is to ignore journalists. (AP)

Secretive Ortega frustrates Nicaraguan press

It used to be that covering the Nicaraguan presidency was a coveted job for reporters. Now, it’s a frustrating exercise that borders on stenography.

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