(IPYS/IFEX) – On 23 January 2008, four municipal officials from the District Municipality of Maquía chased and threatened journalist Miguel Rojas Panduro, a cameraman for Canal 27 television station, when they realised he was filming a get-together attended by the district mayor, Gonzalo Flores, to celebrate the acquittal of municipal administrator Walter Ríos, who had […]
(IPYS/IFEX) – On 23 January 2008, four municipal officials from the District Municipality of Maquía chased and threatened journalist Miguel Rojas Panduro, a cameraman for Canal 27 television station, when they realised he was filming a get-together attended by the district mayor, Gonzalo Flores, to celebrate the acquittal of municipal administrator Walter Ríos, who had been accused of corruption and profiteering. Maquía is located in Loreto, northeastern Perú.
The journalist took refuge in the house of a colleague, Lenin Viena Oliveira. The officials pursuing him threatened to shoot at him if he did not surrender his video camera. Rojas, although concealed, was able to record their threats. He then escaped through the back of the house.
IPYS condemns the actions of the officials involved and urges the authorities to take this incident into account if the journalist should be attacked.
