(SPP/IFEX) – SPP is denouncing and demanding an end to the various physical and verbal assaults that numerous media workers have been subjected to while carrying out their reporting work, which is guaranteed by the national Constitution. During various events, assemblies and political demonstrations, journalists have been confronted with hostile attitudes, coming mostly from leaders […]
(SPP/IFEX) – SPP is denouncing and demanding an end to the various
physical
and verbal assaults that numerous media workers have been subjected to
while
carrying out their reporting work, which is guaranteed by the national
Constitution. During various events, assemblies and political
demonstrations, journalists have been confronted with hostile attitudes,
coming mostly from leaders and members of the Union Nacional de
Colorados
Eticos (UNACE) political movement.
Recently, the following journalists were assaulted: Carolina Oddone,
from
Radio Uno, was hit by UNACE demonstrators during the coverage of a
police
operation in front of the Radio Montecarlo premises; José Cardozo, from
“ABC
Color”, was hit during a press conference called by UNACE; Fernando Ruiz
Díaz, from Radio Uno, and Ricardo Germán, from Radio Cardinal, were hit
by
UNACE demonstrators in front of the parliament; Anibal Emeri, from Radio
Ñandutí, and Víctor Velázquez, from Radio Cardinal, were assaulted in
the
ANR office by UNACE demonstrators, during the Colorado Party convention
held
on Sunday, March 14 1999; and Ana González, also from Radio Uno, was
assaulted in front of the governing body premises.
These unfortunate repeated violent occurrences, in addition to verbal
threats being received by other press workers while they work, suggests
that
these are not isolated events, but part of a campaign of physical and
other
attacks against journalists. Furthermore, these events appear to be
occurring with the complicity of the police, who instead of offering
protection and security, remain passive and allow these attacks to be
carried out with impunity.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the President:
responsible for maintaining order and public security, provide the
necessary
guarantees so that all journalists can continue their work of informing
the
population, as established by the national Constitution
movement,
ask that he intervene and act to put an end to these serious gratuitous
attacks against journalists
Appeals To
President of the Republic
Raúl Cubas Grau
Governmental Palace
Asuncion, Paraguay
Web page: http://www.presidencia.gov.py
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
