(PFC/IFEX) – On 30 March 2003, the relationship between government officials and the media deteriorated even further after comments by Attorney General Carlos De Leon. De Leon referred to the press as “cowards” and threatened to “expose” Gonzalo Marroquín, director of “Prensa Libre” newspaper, for allegedly acting irresponsibly and publishing biased information. De Leon has […]
(PFC/IFEX) – On 30 March 2003, the relationship between government officials and the media deteriorated even further after comments by Attorney General Carlos De Leon. De Leon referred to the press as “cowards” and threatened to “expose” Gonzalo Marroquín, director of “Prensa Libre” newspaper, for allegedly acting irresponsibly and publishing biased information.
De Leon has been demonstrating increasing hostility towards the media. Since 2 April, he has prevented journalists from accessing information from the Public Prosecutor’s Anti-Corruption Office, after the media reported on a campaign to improve the attorney general’s image. The campaign waged in the press, on radio and on television, was financed by funds De Leon claims to have received from private companies. Yet, he has not revealed the names of the said companies nor has he indicated how much money he received. In an interview with the radio network Emisoras Unidas, De Leon said a number of institutions have tried to discredit him and “blacken” his name.
In a letter to the attorney general, PFC urged him to “improve his relationship with the media, especially those outlets that monitor the government’s decisions and actions.” The organisation also asked him to give media outlets access to information on corruption cases being investigated by the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Background Information
The high level of corruption in government circles and the incapacity of institutions such as the Public Prosecutor’s Office to solve cases is well known in Guatemala. Numerous investigations into corruption that implicate government officials and bankers, a number of them “friends” of President Alfonso Portillo, have come to a standstill. According to civil society organisations, like the Myrna Mack Foundation, the Public Prosecutor’s Office launches investigations to gain some publicity. However, trials are not brought to completion, investigations are left pending and the implicated flee justice. In March, an extensive report published in the U.S. newspaper “The New York Times” cited Guatemalan officials who confirmed that, since 2000, about US$100 million have been stolen by high-ranking officials.
The high incidence of corruption and impunity were determining factors in the United States government’s recent declassification of Guatemala in the list of countries that fight against drug trafficking. Guatemala is now the only country in Latin America which the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering (FATF) classifies as “not collaborating”.
For the last three years, PFC has condemned the government’s attacks on media outlets that condemn corruption and investigate corruption cases. President Portillo and high-ranking officials continue to intimidate and harass the media and particularly the press.
For PFC’s letter and additional information on harassment of the press by government officials, see:
http://portal-pfc.org/perseguidos/2003/037.html
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the attorney general:
– urging him to refrain from attacking the media, be that via insulting remarks, restricting access to information about cases that are under investigation and restricting access to governmental institutions
Appeals To
Lic. Carlos De Leon
Attorney General
Fax: +502 221 2718
E-mail: fiscaldeleon@mp.lex.gob.gt
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
