U.S.'s Blinken warns of threats to media freedom in Americas

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivers remarks during a panel discussion on the commitment to journalistic freedom at the Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles, California, U.S., June 7, 2022. REUTERS/Daniel Becerril

U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken on Tuesday criticized efforts to suppress press freedom in several Latin American countries and said the United States seeks to increase media protection in the region with the most murders of journalists.

Speaking at a press freedom event ahead of the Summit of the Americas, a regional gathering aiming to address economic problems and migration, Blinken said governments in the region were using sweeping legislation and surveillance to quash freedom of press and intimidate journalists.