Miami.– Last year was one of the most most "challenging and tragic" years for journalists in Latin America, says a review of 2011 by the Inter American Press Association (IAPA).

According to its figures, 24 journalists were killed in the Americas - seven in Mexico, five in Honduras, four in Brazil, three in Peru and one each in Colombia, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Paraguay.

"Together with the impunity surrounding crimes committed in other years and the lack of action on the part of the authorities to deter those who resort to violence a vicious circle has been created that has given rise to high levels of self-censorship," IAPA stated.

It added that governmental attacks on the press –through laws, regulations and lawsuits– are also are threatening press freedom.