(IAPA/IFEX) – The following is an 18 October 2002 IAPA press release: IAPA condemns discrimination against Mexican newspaper through government advertising Miami (October 18) – The Inter American Press Association (IAPA) condemns discrimination by the government of the Mexican state of Baja California for withholding official advertising in La Cronica newspaper because they published investigations […]
(IAPA/IFEX) – The following is an 18 October 2002 IAPA press release:
IAPA condemns discrimination against Mexican newspaper through government advertising
Miami (October 18) – The Inter American Press Association (IAPA) condemns discrimination by the government of the Mexican state of Baja California for withholding official advertising in La Cronica newspaper because they published investigations on irregularities in public administration.
La Cronica newspaper, part of Periodicos Healy, a newspaper company that operates in the states of Northwestern Mexico, published several complaints against irregularities that involved the Governor of Baja California, Eugenio Elordoy Walther. Because of published reports on the erratic purchase of vehicles, nepotism within the Government, and salary increases for employees in recent months, the State cancelled all government advertising in the newspaper and has made access to public information difficult for journalists.
In a letter sent to the Governor by IAPA President, Robert J. Cox, and Chairman of the Committee on Freedom of the Press and Information, Rafael Molina, they ask that the Government change its attitude to understand that “the concession or suppression of government advertising cannot be used as a tool to reward or punish the media or journalists, since it is a form of indirect censorship that hinders the people’s right to information.”
Cox, Assistant Editor of The Post and Courier, Charleston, South Carolina, and Molina, editor of Ahora magazine, Dominican Republic, explained that this “serious situation” will be reviewed by more than 450 journalists and editors of the IAPA when they meet in Lima, Peru, on October 25-29, during the institution’s 58th General Assembly.
Lastly, they expressed their confidence that Governor Eugenio Elorduy Walther “will take the necessary steps to change this attitude so that the citizens of Baja California can enjoy an environment that respects their rights to and guarantees of freedom of expression and the press.”
