Avellon Williams
PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI- The Committee to Protect Journalists on Wednesday called on the Haitian authorities to investigate the shooting attack on investigative journalist Roberson Alphonse, bring those responsible to justice, and ensure that Haiti’s journalists are able to report in safety.
During his commute to work at the Magik9 radio station early Tuesday morning, unidentified attackers fired at Alphonse’s car while he drove through the Delmas 40B neighborhood of Port-au-Prince.
In the attack, which left at least ten bullet holes in Alphonse’s car, the journalist was wounded in both arms but was able to drive himself to a hospital, where he received treatment and is in stable condition, according to Frantz Duval, chief editor of Le Nouvelliste and Magik9.
“I saw him, I spoke to him, he is in shock but not doing too bad,” Duval said.
After 7 am on Tuesday, Duval realized something was wrong when staff at the radio station called to inform him Alphonse hadn’t arrived. Then, he received a phone call from Alphonse, who was already at the hospital, informing him of the attack.
Haiti’s Ministry of Culture and Communication called the attack an “assassination attempt” without providing further details, and expressed solidarity with Alphonse’s family, colleagues, and “the entire corporation hard hit by this unfortunate event, which too often threatens the press sector in Haiti.”
According to the statement, Alphonse was a “highly respected personality in the Haitian press,” adding that “his rigor, his impartiality, and his sense of perfection make him a model for the profession.”
Recent articles written by Alphonse for Le Nouvelliste explored national politics, crime and policing, security conditions in Haiti, and international response.
Les Cayes discovered the body of radio commentator Garry Tess, who had been missing since October 18. According to reports, Tess worked as a lawyer, political analyst, and host of the popular radio show “Gran Lakou” on the private radio station Radio Lébon FM in Les Cayes. His death is currently being investigated by CPJ, including whether it was related to his work as a journalist.
Ronald Richemond, Les Cayes Government Commissioner, announced on Tuesday that local police and the public prosecutor had begun investigating Tess’s death and had already questioned several people.
No response was received from the Haitian national police when CPJ called and emailed for comment on the cases.
