(IPYS/IFEX) – Since mid June 2004, publications that very closely copy the format and design of several local papers have been circulating in Tarapoto, capital of San Martín region, northeastern Peru. The publications’ content is aimed at attacking and degrading several local journalists. The most recent example was an imitation of the biweekly “Línea Verde”, […]
(IPYS/IFEX) – Since mid June 2004, publications that very closely copy the format and design of several local papers have been circulating in Tarapoto, capital of San Martín region, northeastern Peru. The publications’ content is aimed at attacking and degrading several local journalists.
The most recent example was an imitation of the biweekly “Línea Verde”, which appeared on the newsstands on 17 August. The publication contained an editorial supposedly written by the biweekly’s director, journalist Javier Tuanama Valera. In the editorial, Tuanama reportedly confesses to having been a member of the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement (Movimiento Revolucionario Túpac Amaru, MRTA) and explains how he benefitted financially from the guerrilla group’s activities.
Other journalists who have been targetted by the imitation publications are Glenda Mello Pinedo, director of the “Enfoques” television programme, broadcast on the Red Global network, Darwìin Pinchi, host of the “El Matutino” news programme, and Luis Mori Hidalgo and Javier Grandez Paredes, hosts of the “Tribuna Libre” programme.
The origin of these publications that mimic local newspapers is unknown. However, all the journalists who have been targetted are tenacious critics of Mayor Armando Gonzáles del Águila’s administration and regularly report on alleged irregularities in the municipal administration. It is also noteworthy that all the imitation publications carry articles enthusiastically extolling the municipality’s activities and projects.
