(PFC/IFEX) – Barely two months after Colonel Lucio Gutiérrez assumed the presidency, the press has faced harassment for publishing reports about corruption and the deterioration of the government’s image. On 10 March 2003, retired colonel Patricio Acosta called Katherine Mendoza, political affairs editor of “Expreso” newspaper, to his office to complain about the publication of […]
(PFC/IFEX) – Barely two months after Colonel Lucio Gutiérrez assumed the presidency, the press has faced harassment for publishing reports about corruption and the deterioration of the government’s image.
On 10 March 2003, retired colonel Patricio Acosta called Katherine Mendoza, political affairs editor of “Expreso” newspaper, to his office to complain about the publication of a report. The report cited a Transparency International (Transparencia Internacional, TI) warning that corruption in Ecuador may be perceived to be on the rise (see IFEX alert of 20 March 2003). Mendoza’s photographer was not allowed into the meeting and when she tried to record the conversation Acosta’s aides snatched the cassette away. During the meeting, Acosta intimated that a number of “Expreso” employees owed money to the state-run bank.
In a separate incident, on 19 February, HCJB World Radio journalist Raúl Jiménez was insulted and threatened by Major Johnny Vega, at the military’s headquarters.
During his campaign for the presidency, Gutiérrez spoke strongly against corruption. In one speech, he said that “any public official who steals more than US$5,000 will be jailed for life.” He also promised to “struggle daily against corruption.” Nevertheless, a few days after Gutiérrez came to power, members of his family were given government posts. In one example, the president’s
brother-in-law, retired colonel Napoleon Villa, was named head of the Solidarity Fund (Fondo de Solidaridad).
In a letter to President Gutiérrez, PFC expressed concern about the ill-treatment of Mendoza and Jiménez, and disappointment that the government has moved so quickly from condemning corruption to being accused of it. “The press,” PFC noted, “has a duty to expose corruption, and any action taken to censor such exposure amounts to a cover-up.”
The National Journalists’ Union (Union Nacional de Periodistas, UNP) has proposed to the president five steps to guarantee the free exercise of journalism in the country: respect for freedom of expression and information; unrestricted access to sources of information; the creation of a ministry of communications; the strengthening of governmental press departments; and support for independent radio and television producers.
For PFC’s letter to President Gutiérrez and additional information, see:
http://portal-pfc.org/perseguidos/2003/029.html
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the president:
– asking that he instruct government officials to respect journalists
– calling on him to ensure that access to information about public affairs and officials’ actions is unrestricted
Appeals To
Lucio Gutiérrez
President
E-mail: saladeprensa@presidencia.ec-gov.net
Fax: +593 2 2580 751 / +593 2 2580 748
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
