(IPYS/IFEX) – On the night of 12 December 2006, a group of demonstrators supporting the independence of the Department of Santa Cruz in eastern Bolivia assaulted several of the region’s journalists for being critical of the department’s emancipation attempt. Julio Peñaloza, of the Catholic Church’s radio station Radio ERBOL, narrowly avoided being assaulted in the […]
(IPYS/IFEX) – On the night of 12 December 2006, a group of demonstrators supporting the independence of the Department of Santa Cruz in eastern Bolivia assaulted several of the region’s journalists for being critical of the department’s emancipation attempt.
Julio Peñaloza, of the Catholic Church’s radio station Radio ERBOL, narrowly avoided being assaulted in the city’s main square by supporters of Santa Cruz’s Civic Committee, who complained to him about his comments against the proposal to grant independence to the region. The journalist took refuge in a hotel near the square. When the mob attempted to enter the premises, Peñaloza escaped via a side door on a police motorbike.
That same night journalist Efraín Montero, who works for the state-owned television station Canal 7, was assaulted by five pro-independence youths in the city centre. He was rescued by several neighbours who stopped the youths from beating him up. Montero was slightly injured. The journalist had also questioned the proposal for the independence of Santa Cruz.
Staff of the ERBOL network’s radio station Radio Alternativa, were also threatened by members of Santa Cruz’s Youth Union (Unión Juvenil Cruceñista) after they allowed opponents of Santa Cruz’s independence movement to voice their opinions. The radio station cancelled all its programmes and is now only broadcasting music.
A public consultation meeting was scheduled for 15 December, at which the department’s independence was expected to be proposed.
