Last week in Washington, DC, a representative from Guatemala’s Community Radio Movement reminded the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights — and the international community — that “without freedom of expression, there is no democracy in Central America.”

Independent journalists and community media outlets in Guatemala have played an essential role in documenting conflicts and abuses that would otherwise go unheard. These brave reporters work under threat of violence, and with no protection from the Guatemalan government.

To support this important work, GHRC is proud to announce that our 2015 Alice Zachmann Human Rights Defenders Award will be presented to Prensa Comunitaria (Community Press), a network of independent, grassroots reporters on the front lines of the struggle to provide spaces for communities to tell their own stories.

We invite you to join us to honor the work of Prensa Comunitaria. The award ceremony will take place this November 3 at 6:30 PM at St. Stephen’s Church in Washington, DC (located at 1525 Newton St. NW). Please send along to your friends and networks in the DC area, or consider making a donation in honor of the event.

Lorenzo Mateo Francisco will receive GHRC’s award on behalf of Prensa Comunitaria and then will join GHRC on a speaking tour in cities in the Midwest and on the East Coast of the US, and will be the featured speaker at the Chicago Religious Leadership Network’s Annual Luncheon event.

Watch this short video to learn more about Prensa Comunitaria from a few of its members:

Sincerely,
Kelsey Alford-Jones
Executive Director, GHRC/USA