(IPYS/IFEX) – In a 1 June 2004 letter addressed to international press freedom organisations, nine journalists based in the city of Palmira, Valle del Cauca department, southwestern Colombia, informed them that they have been harassed by former mayor Miguel Motoa Kuri and individuals close to him. The journalists have reportedly been threatened because in recent […]
(IPYS/IFEX) – In a 1 June 2004 letter addressed to international press freedom organisations, nine journalists based in the city of Palmira, Valle del Cauca department, southwestern Colombia, informed them that they have been harassed by former mayor Miguel Motoa Kuri and individuals close to him.
The journalists have reportedly been threatened because in recent years they have alleged that the mayor is involved in corrupt activities.
Those affected are Jorge Agudelo Londoño, José Gerardo Cruz, Manuel Fernando Muñoz, Edgar Quintero, Bárbara Valdés de Pérez, and Maria Consuelo Luna Valdés, all of whom work for Radio Luna station, Jorge Isaac Londoño, of Radio Palmira station, Carlos Alberto Franco, a columnist for the weekly “Palmira Hoy”, and Daisy Idalia Calderón, of the satirical political magazine “El Aguijón”.
In a letter subsequently sent to IPYS by Luna on behalf of the group, the journalists condemned attempts to silence them and censor their reports and expressed concern that their lives and those of their families are in danger. The reporters are also members of the “Despierta Palmira” citizens’ coalition and via this organisation have filed complaints about the harassment.
In contrast, Motoa told IPYS that he is actually the real victim in the matter since the reporters, whom he referred to as “delinquents” and accused of being politically motivated, disrespect him and have been distributing unsubstantiated information about him for years.
The former mayor did, however, confirm that there had been an attempt to assault Franco, but justified the action by saying that he was “fed up” with the press’s attitude.
According to the journalists who have been targeted, their relationship with the city’s political elite has been tense for years, but recent incidents point to a concerted effort to silence the media. The journalists noted that the city’s current mayor belongs to Motoa’s political faction.
