Press groups are condemning the weekend slaying of a Honduran television journalist.

The InterAmerican Press Association says Gabriel Hernandez was shot to death Sunday in the southern province of Valle.

The 54-yer-old Hernandez hosted the "The People Speak" program on Canal Valle TV and he frequently criticized local government and local politicians. He also reported for the Radio Globo station.

Hernandez reportedly had asked for protection because of threats against him, but the request was not granted.