Siglo Veintiuno
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''Siglo Veintiuno'' or stylized ''Siglo XXI'' is a Guatemalan daily newspaper. Founded in 1990 by José Rubén Zamora, the paper earned a reputation for independent, high-risk reporting. In 1995, its staff won the International Press Freedom Awards of the Committee to Protect Journalists, and Zamora won several individual awards for his work with the paper.


History

Founded in 1990 by José Rubén Zamora, the paper advocated judicial and tax reforms, and reported on dangerous subjects including narcotics smuggling, human rights issues, guerrilla groups, and corruption in the government of President Jorge Serrano. As a result, Zamora and the staff received death threats and were subject to physical attacks. Three years later, Guatemala saw a constitutional crisis, in which Serrano suspended the constitution and dissolved Congress. He also instituted press censorship, surrounding the ''Siglo Veintiuno'' offices with national police forces. During this period, Zamora satirized the censorship by renaming the paper ''Siglo Catorce'' ("14th Century") and running stories covered in solid blocks of ink; he also faxed uncensored versions of the stories to newspapers in neighboring countries. The
International Press Institute International Press Institute (IPI) is a global organisation dedicated to the promotion and protection of press freedom and the improvement of journalism practices. The institution was founded by 34 editors from 15 countries at Columbia University ...
credits this clandestine reporting with contributing to Serrano's condemnation by the international community and his eventual flight from the country. Zamora and other staff members were attacked several times in connection with their reporting. In 1995, Zamora's car was driven off the road by two people who threatened to kill him for publishing allegations in ''Siglo Veintiuno'' that the
military of Guatemala The Guatemalan Armed Forces ( es, Fuerzas Armadas de Guatemala) consists of the National Army of Guatemala (''Ejercito Nacional de Guatemala'', ENG), the Guatemalan National Defense Navy (''Marina de la Defensa Nacional'', includes Marines), the ...
had links to organized crime. In May 1996, attackers drove past his parked car, throwing two grenades at it; Zamora was unhurt. In May 1996, Zamora left the paper following disagreements with its board of directors and founded a new paper, '' El Periódico''.


Recognition

In 1995, Zamora and the ''Siglo Veintiuno'' staff won International Press Freedom Awards from the Committee to Protect Journalists, which recognize courage in defending press freedom despite facing attacks, threats, or imprisonment. In the same year, Zamora won the
Maria Moors Cabot Prize The Maria Moors Cabot Prizes are the oldest international awards in the field of journalism. They are presented each fall by the Trustees of Columbia University to journalists in the Western hemisphere who are viewed as having made a significant co ...
from Columbia University "for promoting press freedom and inter-American understanding". In 2000, he was named one of 50 World Press Freedom Heroes of the 20th century by the
International Press Institute International Press Institute (IPI) is a global organisation dedicated to the promotion and protection of press freedom and the improvement of journalism practices. The institution was founded by 34 editors from 15 countries at Columbia University ...
. The citation stated that "Zamora and Siglo Veintiuno were in the forefront of a civilian resistance that forced President Jorge Serrano Elias to relinquish his post after he attempted to seize dictatorial power in 1993."


See also

*
List of newspapers in Guatemala This is a list of newspapers in Guatemala. Newspapers *'' Prensa Libre'', the second-most widely circulated newspaper in Guatemala *Al Día' *Noticias Guatemala' *''Diario de Centro América'', the nation's newspaper of public record *La Hora' ...


References


External links

* {{Footer CPJ International Press Freedom Award laureates Newspapers published in Guatemala Publications established in 1990