New attacks on Haitian media reignites calls for gang crackdown

PORT-AU-PRINCE — Armed gangs carried out coordinated attacks against three major media outlets in Port-au-Prince over the weekend, intensifying concerns over press freedom and the rule of law in Haiti.

The violence began on March 13, when armed gangs set fire to RTVC’s headquarters on Rue Chavannes. Later that day, Radio Mélodie FM was also targeted. By March 16, gangs stormed Télé Pluriel in Delmas 19, looting equipment before setting the building ablaze.

Amid rising gang violence in Carrefour-Feuilles, Delmas, and downtown Port-au-Prince, residents issued urgent distress calls, demanding protection from authorities.

Government response: A vow for justice

Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils Aimé was quick to condemn the attacks, calling them a blatant attempt to silence the press. He also promised an unwavering offensive against gangs and an acceleration of efforts to reclaim areas under their control.

“In collaboration with the Haitian National Police (PNH), we are implementing reinforced security measures to protect media institutions and ensure citizens’ safety,” he said in a  statement on March 13.

RTVC: A symbol of Haiti’s media heritage under attack

RTVC, one of Haiti’s oldest and most influential media outlets, has long played a key role in the country’s journalism landscape. The 75-years-old station had already relocated in 2024 due to escalating gang violence in the downtown area. However,  some essential equipment from the station was still in those premises on Rue Chavannes, reports Média Libre on X.

“For months, gangs have dominated downtown, forcing RTVC’s management to abandon the area,” Radio Metronome of Guerrier Dieuseul, RTVC’s news director, wrote on X. “The gangs continue their rampage, while our authorities remain locked in futile power struggles.”

The latest attack destroyed vital equipment, further delaying any potential return to the original studio. Patrick Moussignac, RTVC’s CEO, has yet  to respond  to The Haitian Times’ request for comment on the long-term impact of the gang assault on his organization.

Wave of media attacks continues

RTVC was not the only target. On March 15, gangs looted and torched Télé Pluriel in Delmas 19, stripping the television station of its equipment before setting the building ablaze.

“The criminals looted and burned several businesses in the area, including R&C Plaza and other establishments,” Télé Pluriel’s management stated on its site.

Similarly, Radio Mélodie FM suffered major damages when armed groups stormed its headquarters on Thursday, March 13.

These attacks follow a pattern of increasing gang violence against the press and professional journalists, with gang leaders often broadcasting their threats live on social media networks. In April 2024, armed groups ransacked Presses Nationales, a state-owned media outlet, before looting Le Nouvelliste, Haiti’s 125-year-old newspaper. The latter attack severely impacted its ability to continue publishing in print.

“Faced with this act and its grave consequences, we can only turn to judicial and police authorities, whose role is to protect citizens and their property,” Le Nouvelliste’s management wrote at the time. 

Media and journalist organizations demand accountability

Haitian and international press freedom advocates strongly denounced the attacks.

The Association of Haitian Journalists (AJH) called the assault on RTVC  and other media outlets a direct threat to the democratic transition that began in 1986.

“We urge journalists, media executives, press workers, and all defenders of democracy to unite immediately to counter this climate of violence,” the AJH said in a statement.

Similarly, the Collectif des Médias en Ligne (CMEL) warned that the continued attacks reflect a systematic attempt to silence independent journalism.

“This assault is a blatant violation of the rights guaranteed by Article 28 of the Haitian Constitution,” the CMEL said, urging swift government action.

International concern grows.

Outside Haiti, the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression (RELE) and the Inter-American Press Association also condemned the attacks.

“We urge authorities to investigate promptly and ensure the safety of journalists amid the ongoing violence,” the press association wrote on X.

Press freedom under siege amid fight for Haiti’s freedom of expression

The latest attacks on RTVC, Radio Mélodie FM and Télé Pluriel come amid an alarming rise in violence against journalists.

In December 2024, two journalists were shot and killed while covering a gang attack on the University of Haiti Hospital, also known as l’Hôpital Général, where the health minister had invited reporters to cover its reopening. At least seven others were injured in the incident.

The organization Konbit pou Rekonstwi Lakay (KORELA) warned that such attacks will persist unless concrete action is taken.

“Freedom of expression cannot be eliminated in Haiti. Authorities must adopt strict measures against these crimes to prevent further escalation,” KORELA stated.

As gangs tighten their grip on Port-au-Prince and its surrounding areas, the recent wave of attacks highlights the pressing need for government intervention to protect journalists and media outlets.

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