Stanford Knight Fellows launch campaign in support of threatened Colombian TV journalist

A group of 19 U.S. and international journalists in residence at Stanford University have launched a campaign of support for Daniel Coronell of Colombia, a prominent television news director forced to flee his country after receiving multiple death threats. He is currently a senior research fellow at Stanford.

In April of last year, an anonymous caller threatened to kill Coronell, his wife and his daughter. The threats continued in May, when a burial wreath was sent to his workplace at the Canal Uno station, followed by more anonymous threats via e-mail. Coronell is well known for his independent and investigative reporting on political corruption, drug trafficking and Colombia's ongoing civil war in a country considered among the world's most dangerous for journalists.

In a letter being sent to embassy officials and politicians worldwide, the Knight Fellows of Stanford University urge the Colombian authorities to investigate the threats leveled against Coronell and his family. "The government's responses to this urgent matter will be watched by journalists from all continents, and will face the scrutiny of international public opinion," the letter says. The Knight Fellows, on temporary leave from covering news in countries from Nepal to Chile, also urge the United States to demand that its Colombian allies take seriously all attacks on reporters and press freedom.

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