(IPYS/IFEX) – Next week, IPYS is launching its Emergency Network for Journalists. The Network will be declared open by Santiago Canton, the Organisation of American States (OAS) Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression, on 11 November 1998 at 12:30 p.m., Bolognesi 660, Barranco, Lima, Perú. WHAT IS THE NETWORK? The Network is Latin America’s most […]
(IPYS/IFEX) – Next week, IPYS is launching its Emergency Network for
Journalists. The Network will be declared open by Santiago Canton, the
Organisation of American States (OAS) Special Rapporteur for Freedom of
Expression, on 11 November 1998 at 12:30 p.m., Bolognesi 660, Barranco,
Lima, Perú.
WHAT IS THE NETWORK?
The Network is Latin America’s most advanced emergency response system for
journalists. Following are its features:
1. Journalists will be able to call the toll-free S.O.S. telephone number
0-800-44530 24-four hours a day from anywhere in Peru to ask for help or
report attacks related to their journalistic work.
2. Urgent cases will benefit from an immediate response. Depending on the
characteristics of the case and on the journalist’s request, responses can
include:
protection organisations, appropriate state agencies (the Ombudsman’s
Office, the Ministry of Public Order, the police, etc;)
committee.
3. The Network will have a team of ten correspondents in the regions and a
group of journalists in Lima from various media outlets who, through a
committee, will learn about the cases, evaluate them and follow-up.
4. Equipment, communications costs, materials and human resources for the
Network will be provided by IPYS, which will act as the secretariat of the
system.
5. The Network is made up of journalists interested in securing safer
conditions for journalists in Peru and in acting in solidarity with
journalists in danger. It is an effort aimed strictly at helping journalists
in emergency situations, and at supporting the efforts of other Peruvian and
international organisations working to protect journalists and defend press
freedom.
6. The Network will not necessarily produce statements on issues nor carry
out professional or union activities. It functions to support concrete
actions as best it can.
7. At the national level, there will be a campaign to publicise the Network
and its emergency telephone number so all Peruvian journalists, wherever
they work, can reach the system.
