(RSF/IFEX) – RSF said it was outraged by an 8 September 2005 arson attack by three hooded gunmen that gutted most of a building housing the “Diário de Marília” daily newspaper and two radio stations, Diário FM and Dirceu AM, in Marília, in the southeastern state of São Paulo. “Whether an act of criminal vandalism […]
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF said it was outraged by an 8 September 2005 arson attack by three hooded gunmen that gutted most of a building housing the “Diário de Marília” daily newspaper and two radio stations, Diário FM and Dirceu AM, in Marília, in the southeastern state of São Paulo.
“Whether an act of criminal vandalism or a targeted reprisal against a newspaper that is critical of the local political class, this attack is yet further evidence that the local press is not entirely safe in Brazil,” the organisation said.
“We call on the São Paulo state authorities to carry out a thorough investigation and we urge the federal government to guarantee press freedom throughout the country,” RSF added.
The building was the headquarters of the Central Marília Noticias media group, which owns the newspaper and the two radio stations. Night watchman Sérgio Silva de Araújo, who was alone in the building at the time, said a woman in her twenties appeared at about 3 a.m. (local time) claiming she wanted to deliver a message to one of the radio stations.
When he opened the door to take the message, three hooded men forced their way in and threatened him with their guns. Initially they asked to be taken to the company’s safe. But then they poured gasoline and set it alight. The ensuing blaze destroyed nearly 80 per cent of the building.
“Diário de Marília” editor-in-chief José Ursilio de Souza said he thought the attack was a deliberate reprisal against his newspaper, which “had just adopted a critical editorial line towards local politicians.” The newspaper can still be read on the Internet.
