(IFJ/IFEX) – On 20 March 1999, Nicaraguan journalists denounced, nationally and internationally, the smear campaign that President Arnoldo Alemán’s government has launched against the men and women of the press who, because of the shortage of work, have been obliged to sell advertising to be able to survive. In the midst of a political battle […]
(IFJ/IFEX) – On 20 March 1999, Nicaraguan journalists denounced,
nationally
and internationally, the smear campaign that President Arnoldo Alemán’s
government has launched against the men and women of the press who,
because
of the shortage of work, have been obliged to sell advertising to be
able to
survive.
In the midst of a political battle between Alemán and comptroller
Agustin
Jarquin, the government is trying to link the press, or make it appear
that
they are linked, to the struggle for power, when in reality the
government
knows this is not the case.
Nicaraguan journalists explain that many among them are currently
selling
advertising, as it is the only employment option that they have. They
suggest that this does not constitute a crime and furthermore the right
to
do so is recognized both by the United Nations and in the Constitution.
They therefore exhort the authorities to end this campaign of trying to
involve them in the conflict. During the campaign, suggestions have been
made that the media are backing away from denouncing corruption and
there
has been an attempt to diminish the credibility journalists have gained.
The Nicaraguan Journalists’ Union (Union de Periodistas de Nicaragua),
the
Nicaraguan Journalists’ Labour Union (Sindicato de Periodistas de
Nicaragua), and the Association of Parliamentary Journalists (Asociacion
de
Periodistas Parlamentarios) call on all journalists to close ranks and
prevent the division that the government seems to be trying to cause,
and
they exhort their colleagues to not be ashamed of the work they are
carrying
out in order to survive.
All three organizations point out that the attacks against the
journalists
have been increasing since January. On 20 March, in the department of
Rivas,
various journalists were assaulted by President Alemán’s bodyguards. In
addition, Alemán irrespectfully and jokingly replied to the complaints
received from those who were attacked.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
Appeals To
Dr. Arnoldo Alemán
President of the Republic
Managua, Nicaragua
Fax: +505 228 7519Dr. Julio Centeno Gomez
Attorney General
Managua, Nicaragua
Fax: +505 266 8554
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
