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Bolivian journalists injured, harassed by anti-government protesters

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Bolivian journalists injured, harassed by anti-government protesters

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Bogotá, May 21, 2026–Bolivian authorities must thoroughly investigate violent attacks on journalists covering a wave of anti-government demonstrations, including against cameraman Hugo Machicado of private broadcaster Gigavision, and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday.

On Monday, Machicado was injured in the legs by shrapnel from dynamite detonated by protesters in the capital La Paz who are demanding the resignation of President Rodrigo Paz. Machicado was evacuated on a stretcher to a hospital where he was treated and released, according to the National Press Association (ANP).

“The Bolivian government must ensure that journalists covering protests are protected by minimum safety guarantees,” said Cristina Zahar, CPJ’s Latin America program coordinator, in São Paulo. “Those responsible for acts of violence against media professionals should be identified and held accountable.”  

Local outlets reported that at least 10 journalists were slightly injured as they covered clashes between protesters and the police in La Paz and in the adjacent city of El Alto. In some cases, the demonstrators accosted journalists who were trying to film or interview them.

The ANP and seven other Bolivian press organizations published a joint statement saying that nothing justifies violence against media workers. The Ministry of the Presidency also denounced the attacks, saying a free press is fundamental for democracy and that journalists’ integrity must be respected, especially during protests.

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Kurt Vonnegut and his daughter Nanette in 1997. Photo: Family handout This article first appeared in the Spring 2026 issue of Index on Censorship, The monster unleashed: How Hungary’s illliberal vision is seducing the Western world published on 2 April 2026. “My mother warned me early on that my father was going to get in trouble for writing dirty books.” Nanette Vonnegut, youngest daughter of the late American novelist Kurt Vonnegut, remembers these words vividly. Even though she was around eight years old at the time, she recognised the real fear in her mother’s voice. At the time, she didn’t quite know what to do with the warning. But through a serendipitous encounter, she now has a much better idea. When she was invited, along with her brother, to represent the Vonnegut Estate at a meeting about book censorship hosted by publisher Penguin Random House, she had what she describes as a conversion experience. Now, she is taking on the State of Utah alongside other plaintiffs, in a case defending the freedom to read, filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Utah Foundation. “I was blown away by the urgency,” she told Index, recalling the passion and bravery of the librarians and lawyers who spoke at the meeting. Each person took their turn to make a speech, “like one sermon after another”. Vonnegut spoke about her own childhood memories, when she was afraid of what might happen to her father. One speaker in particular, she remembered, described how book bans in the USA are not about words or even sex, but about ideas. “Not until now, did I ever feel afraid for what’s going on. These books in Utah are being thrown away. They’re just pulled off the shelves,” Vonnegut said. But this, she added, has always been a lurking threat. No sex please, we’re prudish At the meeting, she discovered that in Utah, any mention of sex in a book was sufficient reason for it to be pulled from any school library in the state. Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five, an anti-war novel first published in 1969, remains hugely controversial; it has already been banned in two school districts in Utah, labelled as pornographic. If the book is successfully challenged in a third district, the ban automatically becomes state-wide, as has already happened with 28 other books. Nanette Vonnegut can’t recall the book being particularly pornographic in nature. Interviewed on National Public Radio, Terry Hutchinson, a former member of a Utah schoolboard, said: “I am not a big Kurt Vonnegut fan. Not really because of subject matter, but because of style.” He believed that Slaughterhouse-Five should be removed from school libraries. For him, the book crossed the line when a character gets an erection. 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It was a writer’s house, and as the children got older, it became a party house too. According to Nanette Vonnegut, “It was a very heady, exciting time.” Her parents often had other creatives over at the Vonnegut home. Once, it was actor and director Peter Fonda, to talk about film rights for Vonnegut’s book Cat’s Cradle. Jack Kerouac, author of On The Road, visited before he was famous. After having a little too much to drink, his bad language ramped up. Nanette and a friend, aged around nine, were told to leave the room and go upstairs. “But we did not go upstairs,” she recalled. “We stayed behind the door. It was sort of thrilling and exciting. He was like a wild man, and he seemed to be a lot of fun. We didn’t want to miss any of it.” Growing up in this household, she internalised a strong faith in the creative process. She has inherited this “creative groove” as an artist. Take, for example, the day she snapped, for no particular reason, a photo of the Senate floor being shown on a television screen. A few days later, on 6 January 2021, came the US Capitol riot. Following her creativity, Vonnegut created a huge six-foot painting (opposite) from the photograph. Although mostly found in her art studio, Vonnegut feels a strong sense of the power of words, and is a writer too. “Words are the most sacred things that we have, and that’s something I grew up with,” she told Index. And above all, evident in her fight against Utah, she has always taken for granted the belief that there are no “dirty words”. READ MORE

Global Free Speech

Are you our new senior editor? Index is on the hunt for a new senior editor to work at the heart of our editorial team across our magazine and website. This is an exciting opportunity at a time when Index is launching a membership scheme and redesigning its magazine and website. Reporting to the editor, you will be expected to edit agenda-setting essays, columns, features and investigations. The right candidate will have excellent judgement and editing skills and be a deep thinker. You will be confident working with some of the biggest names in journalism and the arts, as well as committed to finding and commissioning underrepresented voices and stories.  A non-tribal outlook is essential: Index is non-partisan and its only “cause” is that of promoting free expression and examining censorship. The right candidate will combine curiosity with excellent attention to detail. 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Specific responsibilities Edit articles and analysis for the magazine and upload copy for the website and other digital platforms Coordinate with contributors from around the world to ensure news articles, analysis and essays are of high quality and on time Manage the weekly newsletter to Index subscribers Commission content for the magazine and web stories including photographs, cartoons and the cover illustration Write articles and analysis for the magazine and website Operate the content management system for publication of written stories Lead on a website refresh and support the redesign of the magazine so they have an overall look and brand that work together Monitor analytics across written content (web and magazine), adjusting strategy to optimise KPIs, membership and grow our audience Work with the communications manager on developing new formats including more use of video and audio to tell stories, through experimentation and data-driven decision-making Forge partnerships with creators globally and digital platforms to expand Index’s reach and engagement Represent Index at events, panels or media appearances where appropriate Support the editor with general commissioning, editing and proof-reading  for the magazine and when needed Knowledge Excellent editing and commissioning abilities, with attention to style, accuracy and tone Deep knowledge of the principles of digital and magazine journalism Strong digital acumen, including familiarity with SEO, analytics tools and CMS platforms Understanding of website design and how to improve it Knowledge of other digital platforms Proven ability to write authoritative magazine and online articles and analysis Knowledge of UK and global affairs and the principles of censorship and free speech issues in the UK and globally Skills (essential) Experience working for a magazine and/or online digital platform The ability to work under deadline pressure Excellent written and verbal communication skills Strong communication skills to work collaboratively with contributors in a small team Prior experience managing contributors Experience of identifying content that will grow a digital audience while driving membership of the organisation The ability to recognise sensitive or potentially libellous issues and raise them for discussion Experience in web publishing, including using content management systems such as WordPress Strong organisational skills and the ability to thrive in a small team The initiative to identify tasks and to work independently Ability to commission articles by and defend the right to free speech for people with whom you personally fundamentally disagree or believe are wrong Preferred Understanding of international affairs Experience working with writers whose first language is not English Familiarity with the Economist style book Experience managing newsletters Proficiency in at least one major language other than English Hours: Full-time, contract Salary: £35,000 – £42,000 dependent on experience Location: Remote but with lots of travel to London Index is a small and ambitious organisation that values diversity. We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome all applicants regardless of ethnic origin, national origin, gender, gender identity, race, colour, religious beliefs, disability, sexual orientation, age or marital status To apply please send a cover letter with your CV by Friday 19 June 2026 to [email protected] If you want to find out more about the job please email the editor on [email protected] READ MORE

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