(PFC/IFEX) – La Poderosa radio station, which broadcasts from Managua on the 560 AM dial, was shut down on 11 October 2002 by authorities from the Nicaraguan Telecommunications Institute (Instituto Nicaragüense de Telecomunicaciones, TELCOR) and the Customs Office (Direccion General de Aduanas), with the national police’s assistance. TELCOR stated that the Archdiocese Social Work Commission […]
(PFC/IFEX) – La Poderosa radio station, which broadcasts from Managua on the 560 AM dial, was shut down on 11 October 2002 by authorities from the Nicaraguan Telecommunications Institute (Instituto Nicaragüense de Telecomunicaciones, TELCOR) and the Customs Office (Direccion General de Aduanas), with the national police’s assistance. TELCOR stated that the Archdiocese Social Work Commission (Comision de Promocion Social Arquidiocesana, COPROSA), which operates the frequency, lacked proper legal recognition. Moreover, the radio station’s operating firm, Comunicaciones Independientes S.A. (COINSA), had not paid import taxes on broadcast equipment.
In a letter to Nicaraguan President Enrique Bolaños, PFC said, “If legal obligations have not been complied with, we believe that the correct response must be to launch an administrative or judicial procedure against those responsible, rather than against the entire media outlet. La Poderosa’s closure has affected the freedom of information and opinion of Nicaraguans who listen to or express themselves on the station.”
La Poderosa was very critical of the government, and there are reports that, on numerous occasions, its programmes did not meet professional journalistic standards in terms of impartiality, equanimity and reliability of information. In addition, some announcers who worked for La Poderosa showed allegiance to former president and current Member of Parliament Arnoldo Alemán, who is being tried on corruption charges.
Nevertheless, PFC warned that it would be very serious “if the decision to shut down La Poderosa was politically motivated and in some way endeavoured to silence the radio station’s criticism … It would be unacceptable that, in the name of the fight against corruption, dissenting voices of government plans are silenced. The move to shut down radio stations or other media outlets discredits the legitimate aim of seeking to punish those who have acquired public funds illegally.”
PFC joined others such as former president Violeta Chamorro, the Human Rights ombudsman and local media in condemning La Poderosa’s closure. PFC called on President Bolaños to reopen La Poderosa as soon as possible. The organisation asked that his civil servants respect the media and freedom of expression, and avoid abuses, particularly in the regulation of radio frequencies and the granting of state advertising. If La Poderosa has failed to comply with proper legal procedures, regarding the ownership of La Poderosa’s frequency or the importing of broadcasting equipment, PFC asked that legal action be taken against those individuals responsible, in accordance with Nicaraguan law and international conventions on human rights and freedom of expression.
For PFC’s letter to President Bolaños, protests, reports and other information on the case, see: http://portal-pfc.org/perseguidos/2002/089.html.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the president:
– calling on him to implement all necessary measures to ensure that Radio La Poderosa is re-opened as soon as possible
– requesting that, if La Poderosa has failed to comply with proper legal procedures regarding the ownership of the station’s frequency or the importing of broadcasting equipment, legal action be taken against those individuals responsible, in accordance with Nicaraguan law and international conventions on human rights and freedom of expression
– asking him to instruct his civil servants to respect the media and freedom of expression and ensure that state regulation of radio frequencies and the granting of advertising is not abused
Appeals To
His Excellency Ing. Enrique Bolaños
President of the Republic of Nicaragua
E-mail: Presidente@presidencia.gob.ni
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
