(WAN/IFEX) – In a 24 January 2003 letter to President Alfonso Portillo, WAN and the World Editors Forum (WEF) expressed their serious concern over government harassment of “elPeriodico” newspaper, its founder José Rubén Zamora and other members of the independent media. According to reports, relations between the government and the independent media have been tense […]
(WAN/IFEX) – In a 24 January 2003 letter to President Alfonso Portillo, WAN and the World Editors Forum (WEF) expressed their serious concern over government harassment of “elPeriodico” newspaper, its founder José Rubén Zamora and other members of the independent media.
According to reports, relations between the government and the independent media have been tense for almost three years. The first serious difficulties arose in February 2001 after “elPeriodico” reported on corruption at high levels of state ministries. The articles resulted in veiled threats, staged demonstrations and a state-owned media campaign to discredit the independent press, in particular “elPeriodico”, Zamora and “Prensa Libre”.
Government criticism of the independent media has since continued. President Portillo and Vice-President Reyes Lopez have reportedly described “elPeriodico” as “irresponsible,” “a threat to stability” and “putschist.” Zamora and members of his newspaper’s investigative reporting team have also received death threats from unidentified, sometimes armed, individuals.
In November 2002, tensions rose still further by the launching of a tax audit of “elPeriodico” under the direction of the newly appointed chief of the Tax Administration Superintendence, Marco Tulio Abadío. Abadío had been sharply criticised by the newspaper in his previous role as General Comptrollership of Accounts. Despite the fact that the audit is still ongoing after 40 days and that no formal conclusions have yet been reached, Abadío has reportedly suggested that “elPeriodico” and Zamora “may be guilty of tax evasion, fraud and even money-laundering.” Zamora and several journalists have also been served with subpoenas and court summonses over this and other journalistic matters.
Finally, on 15 January, the Department of Tax Administration, while auditing the Diarios Modernos publishing company, which prints the daily newspaper “Nuestro Diario”, demanded that certain archived documents be handed over. A judge later rejected the tax authorities’ claim as unconstitutional.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to President Portillo:
– reminding him that it is the duty of the state to provide an environment in which journalists and publishers are able to carry out their professional duties without fear of harassment
– noting that such incidents foster a climate of apprehension that can inhibit journalistic investigation and promote self-censorship
– calling on him to ensure that any campaign to discredit the independent press that might exist is immediately halted
– urging him to do everything in his power to ensure that “elPeriodico”, Zamora and other members of the independent media are treated fairly by all members and departments of the government
– asking him to do his utmost to ensure that Guatemala fully respects its constitutional and international commitments to freedom of expression
Appeals To
His Excellency President Alfonso Portillo
Guatemala City, Guatemala
c/o Permanent Representative to United Nations
E-mail: guatemala@un.int
Please copy appeals to WAN.
