(IPYS/IFEX) – On 2 December 1998, journalist César Hildebrandt decided to terminate his agreement with Canal 13, Global Television, which had been due to end on 22 December. He said that in the past forty five days, his program was taken off the air on three occasions, the last time being on 30 November and […]
(IPYS/IFEX) – On 2 December 1998, journalist César Hildebrandt decided to
terminate his agreement with Canal 13, Global Television, which had been due
to end on 22 December. He said that in the past forty five days, his program
was taken off the air on three occasions, the last time being on 30
November and 1 December, without his being informed. (The first time was on
15 October.)
**Updates IFEX alerts of 2 December and 9 November 1998**
Hildebrandt said his program was harassed by persons who support the
reelection of the president next year. He claimed that what happened was an
attack on the independent press. However, Gustavo Delgado Caferatta,
Director and General Manager of the production company Astros, explained
that technical reasons were responsible for forcing Hildebrandt’s program
off the air a number of times.
Finally, Hildebrandt talked over the phone from Miami with Genaro Delgado
Parker, President of the Board of Directors of Astros, who criticised
Hildebrandt’s arguments and told him that, as hired staff, he should yield
to the company’s guidelines. Following this argument, the journalist
announced that he immediately regarded his relation with the TV station as
terminated.
Above and beyond the problems between Hildebrant and Canal 13, IPYS says the
fact of the matter is that Peru has lost the most important space for
pluralistic debate and criticism of government available on Peruvian
television.
