(IPYS/IFEX) – On 2 December 2007, Radio Marañón’s journalist Ángela Quino Pasache and its programmer José Arce, and camera operator Marco Gonzáles, of Nodalma TV television station’s programme “El Espectador”, were threatened by teachers belonging to a group called the National Commission for Reconstruction (Comisión Nacional de Reestructuración, CONARE), which is part of Peru’s Education […]
(IPYS/IFEX) – On 2 December 2007, Radio Marañón’s journalist Ángela Quino Pasache and its programmer José Arce, and camera operator Marco Gonzáles, of Nodalma TV television station’s programme “El Espectador”, were threatened by teachers belonging to a group called the National Commission for Reconstruction (Comisión Nacional de Reestructuración, CONARE), which is part of Peru’s Education Workers’ Union (SUTEP).
The reporters were having lunch in a restaurant when the assailants threatened them and threw stones at them. The incident took place in the town of Jaén, Cajamarca region, in northeastern Peru.
According to the journalists, the harassment is in response to their investigations and criticisms of CONARE’s administration. They do not rule out that the act of aggression may have been ordered by the director of Jaén’s local education management unit, Mirope Neyra Chinguel, who is also being investigated by the press.
Also, journalist Juan Vásquez told IPYS that since 10 November 2007 he has been receiving telephoned death threats. Vásquez is an América Televisión correspondent and he is also investigating CONARE. He does not dismiss the possibility that the threats may be in response to his coverage. He taped the messages and intends to hand the recordings over to the police.
