(IPYS/IFEX) – On 31 October 2004, Communication and Information Minister Andrés Izarra accused journalist Marta Colomina of spreading “irresponsible” information via her programme, broadcast on the Unión Radio station. The minister voiced the accusation after Colomina had reported on problems surrounding the elections for governor of Valencia, including lootings and delays in the presentation of […]
(IPYS/IFEX) – On 31 October 2004, Communication and Information Minister Andrés Izarra accused journalist Marta Colomina of spreading “irresponsible” information via her programme, broadcast on the Unión Radio station. The minister voiced the accusation after Colomina had reported on problems surrounding the elections for governor of Valencia, including lootings and delays in the presentation of the final results. The city of Valencia is located in Carabobo state, central Venezuela.
Immediately after Colomina made her comments, Izarra called the radio station while the programme was being broadcast live to complain that the journalist’s statement had been “irresponsible.” “It is irresponsible of you to use this space on the air to spread unsubstantiated information,” the minister told the journalist.
When asked by Colomina if there had been some looting during the Valencia election, Izarra responded that this had occurred on two occasions but that this should not be extrapolated to suggest that it was a broader problem plaguing the elections.
According to Colomina’s programme, when the looting occurred, the National Electoral Council (Consejo Nacional Electoral) had presented preliminary results suggesting that the candidate supported by President Hugo Chávez was in the lead but only by a few points ahead of the current governor, who was running for reelection.
Colomina is a well-known university professor. She hosts a daily programme on Unión Radio and a television programme on Televen station. In recent years, Colomina has publicly opposed President Chávez’s policies.
