UNESCO chief denounces killing of Colombian radio host

The head of the United Nations agency tasked with defending press freedom today condemned the recent killing of radio host Édison Alberto Molina in the town of Puerto Berrio in Colombia.

Mr. Molina, a 40-year-old lawyer, hosted a radio programme on legal affairs on community station Puerto Berrío Stereo, where he regularly denounced corruption, according to a news release issued by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

He died on 11 September after being shot repeatedly while riding his motorbike home from the radio station with his wife, who was slightly injured in the attack. He is reported to have received several death threats in recent months.

“I condemn the killing of Édison Alberto Molina,” said UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova. “It is essential that the perpetrators of this crime, which threatens the rights of Colombians to debate issues of concern, be brought to justice.”

Mr. Molina is the third journalist killed in Colombia since the beginning of the year, UNESCO stated.