(PROBIDAD/IFEX) – On 15 June 2005, the General Taxation Division (Dirección General de Ingresos, DGI) shut down four publications, including the magazine “Trinchera de la Noticia”, for alleged evasion of taxes. The tax authorities, led by Danilo Rodríguez, director of the DGI’s Closures Department (Departamento de Clausura), suspended the magazine, which is known for its […]
(PROBIDAD/IFEX) – On 15 June 2005, the General Taxation Division (Dirección General de Ingresos, DGI) shut down four publications, including the magazine “Trinchera de la Noticia”, for alleged evasion of taxes.
The tax authorities, led by Danilo Rodríguez, director of the DGI’s Closures Department (Departamento de Clausura), suspended the magazine, which is known for its support of former president Arnoldo Alemán. According to the DGI, the magazine has been owing taxes since July 2002.
Rodríguez said the magazine currently owes the state a total of 1,975,000 cordobas (approx. US$120,640), in taxes, surcharges and fines, an amount which began accumulating since July 2002.
Even though the official reason given for the magazine’s temporary closure is tax evasion, there are reasons to believe that “Trinchera de la Noticia” is being targeted in retaliation for its investigations into the conduct of high-ranking government officials.
The magazine’s general manager, Emilio Núñez, admits that “Trinchera de la Noticia” owes money in taxes, but notes that after President Enrique Bolaños came to power, the magazine began facing reprisals for its reports on government corruption.
Nicaraguan media outlets and human rights groups have condemned the DGI’s decision. PROBIDAD calls on the authorities to reconsider the decision and refrain from practicing disguised censorship.
