Crime journalist in El Salvador

In his latest book Los muertos y el periodista (The dead and the journalist) Óscar Martínez describes life as an investigative journalist in one of the most violent countries in the world, El Salvador.

In times of political turbulence it is essential to be able to document contemporary life with journalistic integrity, not least in places where the free press is persecuted for publishing the truth about political realities. In the book Martinez tells the story of three impoverished brothers who are killed and mutilated, of corrupt police, drug smugglers and contract killers.

Martinez will discuss with media director Kjersti Løken Stavrum the ethical challenges he encounters as a journalist in El Salvador, the emotional consequences of being at work in dangerous situations and the difficulties he faces when documenting criminal environments.