(IPYS/IFEX) – On 10 January 2007, several journalists of the city of Cochabamba were assaulted while they protested against the attacks suffered by their colleagues on 8 January while covering a confrontation between government supporters and the police. In spite of the protection of the police during the march, journalist René Ordóñez was hit in […]
(IPYS/IFEX) – On 10 January 2007, several journalists of the city of Cochabamba were assaulted while they protested against the attacks suffered by their colleagues on 8 January while covering a confrontation between government supporters and the police.
In spite of the protection of the police during the march, journalist René Ordóñez was hit in the face by a rock, camera operator Omar Rocabado suffered a cut to the head also caused by a thrown rock, and journalist Silvia Loza was beaten. Carlos Arévalo, one of the leaders of the Cochabamba Press Workers’ Federation (Federación de Trabajadores de la Prensa de Cochabamba), was also wounded on the face by a rock. The attackers were government supporters who oppose the administration of Cochabamba’s prefect.
The journalists find themselves in the midst of a dispute among groups that support the government, who are demanding the resignation of Cochabamba’s prefect, who asked for a referendum in order to decide the department’s autonomy.
The journalists have denounced the circulation of leaflets in the city claiming that the media are being financed by the publicity they receive from the prefecture.
Bolivia’s president and vice president have condemned the events and have exhorted radical groups to allow the press to do its work.
