(IFJ/IFEX) – On Wednesday 12 January 2000, the Press Union of the province of Santa Cruz, Argentina, expressed to IFJ’s Human rights section for Latin America of the International Federation of Journalists their condemnation of a series of measures restricting access to information that have been taken by Provincial Security Secretary Nestor Peña. The Argentine […]
(IFJ/IFEX) – On Wednesday 12 January 2000, the Press Union of the province of Santa Cruz, Argentina, expressed to IFJ’s Human rights section for Latin America of the International Federation of Journalists their condemnation of a series of measures restricting access to information that have been taken by Provincial Security Secretary Nestor Peña.
The Argentine trade union informed IFJ that on 11 December, Peña dictated specific orders, to all chiefs of police in the province, to not reveal any information to journalists, regardless of the subject matter, or they could be punished.
The union reported that they appealed the measures before the government minister, Julio De Vido, asking that he guarantee the right to press freedom, which is protected under Law 12.908. However the union has not, as of yet, received any positive response.
The authoritarian measures taken by the secretary of security have resulted in severe sanctions and the 30-day arrest of police officers who have divulged information to journalists. An example is the case of deputy superintendent Jorge Muriette.
“La Opinion Austral” and “Tiempo Fueguino” newspapers, the Buenos Aires radio station, Mitre, and other radio and television media reported on this matter, but the Argentine authorities have not responded in favour of press freedom.
Furthermore, the union reported that aside from the restrictive measures taken by Santa Cruz’s secretary of security, a number of journalists have allegedly been targetted by retired police officers who are friends of Peña. This brings to mind the case of photo-journalist José Luís Cabezas, who was persecuted, kidnapped and assassinated (see IFEX alerts of 13 December, 19 November and 26 January 1999, 14 December and 30 January 1998, 14 October, 2 October, 2 September, 29 July, 12 May, 20 March and 27 January 1997).
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the president:
- demanding that the measures restricting free access to information in the province of Santa Cruz be repealed
- calling for guarantees
Appeals To
Fernando De La Rua
President of the Republic
Tel: +4 344 3850/2
Fax: +4 344 3879
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
