Supporters of the ousted mayor of Sucre struck, hurled insults and threw sticks and firecrackers at three Canal 7 Televisión Boliviana journalists.
(IPYS/IFEX) – On 18 June 2010, supporters of the suspended mayor of Sucre, Jaime Barrón, hit, hurled insults and threw sticks and firecrackers at Saíd Ugarte, Jorge Auza and Alejandro Rojas, journalists for the state-owned Canal 7 Televisión Boliviana television station.
The protestors, who were university students, were reacting against the decision made by the Municipal Council to suspend Barrón from the mayoral position to which he had been elected in April.
Ugarte told IPYS and the National Press Association (ANP) that the demonstrators, in addition to insulting and throwing objects at them, also attempted to take Auza’s camera. The journalists managed to escape under police protection.
IPYS condemns this attack on press freedom.
