Journalists attacked by political party leaders

(PFC/IFEX) – During the week of 14 April 2003, two journalists from the Televisa station were verbally and physically attacked in Hidalgo state by Representative Esteban Salas Ramírez, of the Partido de la Revolucion Democrática (PRD) party. Later in the week, PRD Zacatecas state President Pedro Goytia Robles struck Misael Lozano, editor of the bi-weekly […]

(PFC/IFEX) – During the week of 14 April 2003, two journalists from the Televisa station were verbally and physically attacked in Hidalgo state by Representative Esteban Salas Ramírez, of the Partido de la Revolucion Democrática (PRD) party. Later in the week, PRD Zacatecas state President Pedro Goytia Robles struck Misael Lozano, editor of the bi-weekly “Siglo 21”.

The first incident occurred on 14 April in the city of Tizayuca. Luis Morales and Alejandro Guerrero, journalist Berta Guerrero Alfaro’s camera operator and assistant, respectively, were filming Salas Ramírez after his arrest for “causing a disturbance while drunk”. Salas Ramírez and two other individuals who were with him swore at the journalists and shoved them out of the way in order to prevent them from continuing to film the politician in the cell where he was being held.

The attack by the PRD leader in Zacatecas state arose from the publication of an opinion piece by Lozano. In the column, the journalist criticised the PRD State Leadership Committee for failing to provide support for the party’s candidates in the upcoming 6 July federal election. Lozano also questioned the management of campaign funds. In response, Goytia Robles struck the “Siglo 21” editor and knocked out one of his teeth, according to the news agency Agencia Confidencial de Noticias. Lozano is connected to the PRD and has previously described his bi-weekly publication as a party organ. He admitted that his column was “irreverent criticism” written with “much irony.”

In a letter to PRD National President Rosario Robles, PFC condemned the PRD leaders’ attempts to halt criticism and prevent the public from learning about their conduct. “Physical aggression in reaction to being filmed or to editorial columns is unjustifiable and must be condemned,” PFC warned in its letter. “Such behaviour (…) discredits your political institution and should not be tolerated,” the organisation said.

For PFC’s letter and further information on the case, see:
http://portal-pfc.org/perseguidos/2003/050.html
http://portal-pfc.org/perseguidos/2003/051.html

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