Motive behind journalist's murder to be revealed

PARIS (CMC):

The Paris-based Reporters Without Borders (RWB) yesterday said it hopes that the authorities will soon disclose the reasons behind the murder of radio journalist Pierre-Richard Alexandre, who was shot last weekend.

A correspondent for the national radio station Radio Kiskeya and the host of a daily political discussion programme on local Radio Delta, Alexandre died of his injury two days after being shot on May 17.

The 40-year-old journalist was shot at his home and it was questioned whether it was a hit or a stray bullet.

"Alexandre's professionalism as a journalist was widely acknowledged and we express our full support for his wife, two children and colleagues," RWB said.

"Following his alleged killer's arrest, the police should be able to quickly establish whether or not his death was linked to his work as a journalist. In either case, journalists' safety continues to be a matter of concern in Haiti, where the political climate is a source of intermittent tension."

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Alexandre's death follows the murder in March of journalist Georges Honorat, a former member of the management of the weekly Haïti Progrès who had of late been working for the press department at the prime minister's office.

Although Haiti is ranked 49 out of 179 countries in the latest RWB press freedom index, its journalists still experience recurring security problems.