WASHINGTON, Dec. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Following is a statement from Emily Wilkins, president of the National Press Club, on the arrest warrant issued by Guatemalan authorities against exiled journalist Juan Luis Font.

"We strongly demand Guatemala's attorney general's office and the judiciary system stop all harassment against Juan Luis Font, his radio talk show ConCriterio and other journalists in the country.

"Font is a widely respected journalist who has been persecuted by Guatemalan authorities for the last three years, forcing him to leave his home country in 2022 to avoid unjust detention for his work exposing corruption and abuse of power in Guatemala. Font is a friend of the National Press Club and our members have enjoyed getting to know him and the importance of his work while he lived for a time in exile in the U.S. He is currently in exile in France.

"The persecution against El Periódico publisher José Rubén Zamora, La Hora reporter Diego España and many more journalists in Guatemala underscores the animosity Guatemala's judicial authorities have for independent and critical journalism. Journalism is not a crime and Font is not a criminal.

"Guatemala must halt all criminal proceedings against Font and allow him to return home safely."

About the National Press Club

Founded in 1908, the National Press Club is the world's leading professional organization for journalists. The Club has 3,000 members representing nearly every major journalism organization and, through its Press Freedom Center, is a leading voice for press freedom in the United States and around the world.

Contact: Bill McCarren, 202-662-7534 for the National Press Club

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SOURCE National Press Club