Authoritarian governments in South and Central America have a long tradition of murdering journalists they dislike.

The worst were Nicaragua, Chile, El Salvador, and Columbia.

It was so common in the 1980's Oliver Stone made a feature film about it. Good flick actually:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091886/

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5e3na-7QZtA

A young smokin' hot Elpidia Carrillo makes it worth the download. :)