Ricardo Gangeme

Ricardo Gangeme (August 24, 1943 – May 13, 1999), was an Argentine journalist, editor and founder of the newspaper El Informador Chubutense in Buenos Aires, Argentina, who was known for writing articles exposing corruption of political leaders and entrepreneurs until his killing in Trelew, Chubut Province, Argentina.

Personal Ricardo Gangeme started his journalism career at a young age.

Death Gangeme was killed around 1:28 a.m. outside of his apartment building in Trelew on May 13, 1999. He was found inside his car with a gunshot wound to the head and slumped over the steering wheel of his parked Chevrolet outside his downtown apartment, which was located in the center of Trelew and 100 meters from the local police station. The Smith & Wesson .38 calibre handgun round entered close to his left eye and did not exit which was the cause of the journalist's death. His corpse was found around 8:00 a.m. the next morning. Police did not consider it a robbery as he was found with $1,500 in his pocket. A few days before the incident, Gangeme had reported to the police he was receiving threats for his recent publication about local corruption. Gangeme held a reputation for investigating corruption in business and government circles.

The motive for the murder may have been influenced by Gangeme's recent publication about the corruption of high authority locals and business men. Gangeme reported threats to the police a few days before the murder occurred. Businessman Hector Fernández, owner of Corralon Fernández, was suspected of attempting to run Gangeme over with his car prior to his murder and also threatening him based on reported business transactions with the Trelew Electric Company, but Fernández publicly denied that accusation in news reports. Gangeme was known to have many enemies due to his risky publications and the exposure in his magazine of high government and business officials.

Impact Gangeme oftentimes walked a fine line between walked controversy and sensationalism in his publications. His exposure of businessmen, companies and other government officials significantly impacted the entire Argentine journalist community.

The murder of Gangeme is important because he is one of the most recent cases of a journalist killed not only in his country but also in the world. Gangeme pursued his right to freedom of speech no matter what. The number of threats and violence toward journalists never stopped Gangeme from publishing against one of the biggest companies in his country, Trelew Electric Cooperative in Chubut. He published concerns about their business and financial interactions with the government. Gangeme reveling the company's secrets essentially aided in the Argentine government's economics.

The Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement by its executive director Ann K. Cooper: "We hope that the investigation will soon reach a successful conclusion. While we are encouraged by the reactions of Carlos Saúl Menem and other authorities in condemning this crime, we remind you that many previous attacks against journalists have gone unpunished. We call on you to see to it that the investigation into Gangeme's murder continues, so that the authors of the crime will be captured and the motive established. We hope the investigation into this murder will be exemplary, demonstrating your commitment to ensuring that those who seek to silence journalists through violence are duly punished."

The organization known as the Argentine Federation of Press Workers condemned the murder of its colleague, while journalists from "El Informador Chubutense" asked for and obtained police protection.

Gangeme's son believes it is more than clear what happened, and there were even witnesses of irregularities.