(IAPA/IFEX) – The following is a 31 July 2000 IAPA press release: IAPA RENEWS CALLS FOR INVESTIGATION OF THREATS AGAINST ARGENTINE DAILY EL LIBERAL Miami (31 July 2000) – The Inter American Press Association (IAPA) asked the governor of the northwestern Argentine province of Santiago del Estero to investigate the acts of intolerance and lack […]
(IAPA/IFEX) – The following is a 31 July 2000 IAPA press release:
IAPA RENEWS CALLS FOR INVESTIGATION OF THREATS AGAINST ARGENTINE DAILY EL LIBERAL
Miami (31 July 2000) – The Inter American Press Association (IAPA) asked the governor of the northwestern Argentine province of Santiago del Estero to investigate the acts of intolerance and lack of respect for press freedom directed against the century old daily El Liberal, and some of its journalists.
In a letter to the governor of Santiago del Estero, Carlos Juárez, the hemispheric organization noted that the harassment campaign against the morning newspaper is apparently related to the paper’s investigation of irregularities in the local government.
Following is the text of the letter, signed by the president of the Commission for Press Freedom and Freedom of Information, Rafael Molina, of the Ahora magazine, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Mr. Governor:
The Executive Committee of the Inter American Press Association, which met in Miami on Friday 28 July, wishes to reiterate its call for an investigation of the attacks and threats directed against journalists of the daily El Liberal of Santiago del Estero, apparently in reprisal for the publication of investigative reports.
Speaking to the IAPA’s Executive Committee, the president of the Press Freedom Committee of the Association of Argentine Media (Asociacion de Entidades Periodísticas Argentinas, ADEPA), Luis Tarsitano, denounced the harassment directed against the daily, which has been in operation for more than a century.
Since the middle of July, El Liberal daily reports that it has been subjected to anonymous threats, pamphlets defaming three of its journalists have been distributed, and its telephone lines have been intercepted. Regrettably, these acts coincide with the daily’s publishing of articles alleging anomalies in the provincial government’s administration.
Mr. Governor, we urge you to carry out an investigation that will shed light on these events, identify those responsible, and clear any doubts about whether press freedom prevails in Santiago del Estero and about the potential role of those linked to the government, in failing to tolerate and respect press freedom.
We emphasize that a free press is a fundamental condition for democratic societies to be able to resolve their conflicts. As we have already stated, debate over ideas, freedom of thought, press freedom and uncensored freedom of expression should be seen as essential rights and not as freedoms that are granted by the authorities.
We are confident that a satisfactory resolution of this matter, which has been detrimental to press freedom, can be reached.
Recommended Action
Similar appeals can be sent to:
Dr. Carlos Juárez
Governor
Province of Santiago del Estero
Santiago del Estero, Argentina
Fax: +54 385 422 1066
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
