Nicaraguan journalist shot dead on Facebook Live

Anti-government protests in Nicaragua have entered a fifth day. Masked protesters at a road block in Managua. Photo / AP

A reporter was shot and killed during while broadcasting live on Facebook from an area of Nicaragua rocked by violent anti-government protests over pension reform, the Daily Telegraph reports.

The man, identified in Nicaraguan media as Angel Gahona, was reporting from the town of Bluefields in the country's southern Caribbean coast, when a shot rang out and he fell to the ground bleeding from the head, video footage showed.

Gahona was describing a damaged cash machine while videoing with his phone as a cameraman filmed behind him. Local newspaper El Nuevo Diario said he was broadcasting live on Facebook.

The shot ended his commentary, sending Gahona tumbling down the steps in front of the building. He then lay prone as people screamed his name and rushed to help, the footage showed.

It was not clear who had fired the shot. Nicaraguan newspaper La Prensa quoted another journalist as saying only police and groups fighting the protesters were armed there.

Before the incident, the Red Cross said at least six people had died since protests began five days ago against government plans to increase worker contributions and lower pensions, causing a crisis for President Daniel Ortega.

The reform designed is aimed at settling a US$76 million deficit faced by the country's social security institute.

In a bid to calm the protests - the biggest of his 11-year presidency - Ortega agreed on Sunday to speak with the private sector about social security reforms, only to be rebuffed by Nicaragua's top private-sector business union.

The death toll from the protests rose to more than 20 people, a local human rights group said today.

Nicaraguan journalist Angel Eduardo Gahona spent the last four minutes of his life covering youth protest and incoming riot police tonight in Bluefields. He was streaming live on facebook when he was shot and killed. This was his last broadcast: https://t.co/ixWxQkzCZd pic.twitter.com/4c8eXf0alL

— Sandra Cuffe (@Sandra_Cuffe) April 22, 2018

Pope Francis called for an end to the violence.

"I'm worried about what's been happening in the last few days in Nicaragua, where after a social protest there were battles that have caused deaths," the Pontiff said during the Regina Coeli service at St Peter's Square.

"I express my solidarity with the country, and I join bishops in asking that the violence end, pointless spilling of blood is avoided and the underlying issues be resolved peacefully and with a sense of responsibility."

Journalists have reportedly faced attacks, been temporarily detained and had their work equipment stolen since the start of the protests. Meanwhile, four independent television outlets were taken off air on Thursday, although only one currently remains closed.