Newspaper “La República” brings accusation against “false” newspaper

(IPYS/IFEX) – The daily “La República” has brought accusations in front of the public prosecutor against the publishers of the “false” newspaper “Repúdica”. “Repúdica” has copied “La República”‘s format, logo and typology in a bid to threaten journalists and disparage politicians and well-known people associated with the opposition. Some of the journalists who have been […]

(IPYS/IFEX) – The daily “La República” has brought accusations in front of
the public prosecutor against the publishers of the “false” newspaper
“Repúdica”. “Repúdica” has copied “La República”‘s format, logo and typology
in a bid to threaten journalists and disparage politicians and well-known
people associated with the opposition. Some of the journalists who have been
threatened in “Repúdica” are Gustavo Mohme Llona, parliamentarian and
editor-in-chief of “La República”, and Edmundo Cruz, an investigative
reporter with the newspaper.

**Updates IFEX alert of 1 June 1999**

The accusations were raised on 7 June 1999 in accordance with Article 225 of
the Criminal Code. The accusations were brought with the aim of initiating
charges against Arturo Cáceres A., editor of “Repúdica”. The accusations
will apply equally to all those who are found responsible for “Repúdica’s”
publication and circulation.

Only one edition of the “false” newspaper was published, on 31 May, and it
copied “La República”‘s name, graphic style, diagram style, format, page
design and titles of major columns. At the same time, it distorted the image
of the newspaper in an effort to disparage its independent content and its
defence of democracy and the rule of law.

The evidence put forward in the accusations, obtained as a result of an
investigation by “La República”, contained photographs of the printing site
for “Repúdica” and the vehicles used to distribute the paper, as well as
components of the newspaper and delivery receipts. This evidence
demonstrates that the same channels of distribution as those used by the
“yellow” newspapers “La Chuchi” and “El Mañanero” are being used in this
case.

The people behind this publication must answer to charges of appropriation
of intellectual property, in accordance with Articles 162 and 169,
Legislative Decree 823, of the Law of Industrial Property. In addition to
monetary damages, possible penal consequences are imprisonment for up to
four years.

Recommended Action

Alberto Fujimori Fujimori

President of the Republic

Fax: +51 1 426-6535

Dr. Jorge Santistevan de Noriega

Ombudsman

Fax: +51 1 426 6657
Dr. Víctor Raúl Castillo Castillo

President of the Supreme Court of Justice of Peru

Fax: +51 1 428 0803
Dr. Miguel Aljovín Swayne

Attorney-General

Fax: +51 1 426 2474