The International Press Institute (IPI) today said it is disturbed by the recent spike in violence against journalists in Honduras following the attempted murder of a daily newspaper manager – the third attack on a media employee in the country in the past two weeks.

Manuel Acosta was driving home in the capital Tegucigalpa yesterday when gunmen opened fire on him, the Associated Press (AP) reported. He was shot six times and his car was hit by more than 30 bullets. Acosta was taken to a hospital and is currently in stable condition, AP added.

Yesterday’s assault followed the shooting deaths of TV station owner Luis Mendoza on 19 May and news host Francisco Medina on 10 May.

Seventeen journalists have been killed in Honduras since January 2009, making the country one of the most dangerous places for media workers not only in Central America but worldwide, according to IPI’s Death Watch.

IPI Director Alison Bethel McKenzie said: “This is already the third in a series of brutal attacks against journalists in Honduras this year and our thoughts and wishes for a full recovery go out to Mr. Acosta. We call on authorities to fully investigate these crimes and hold the perpetrators accountable. Violent acts such as these cannot be allowed to continue with impunity.”