(IPYS/IFEX) – On 6 May 2003, the Morona Santiago provincial branch of the Ecuadorian Radio Broadcasting Association (Asociación Ecuatoriana de Radiodifusión, AER) protested the recent threats against several journalists. Approximately 12 radio stations in the province are AER members. Wilson Cabrera, the director and owner of Radio Canela FM, was threatened for reporting on alleged […]
(IPYS/IFEX) – On 6 May 2003, the Morona Santiago provincial branch of the Ecuadorian Radio Broadcasting Association (Asociación Ecuatoriana de Radiodifusión, AER) protested the recent threats against several journalists. Approximately 12 radio stations in the province are AER members.
Wilson Cabrera, the director and owner of Radio Canela FM, was threatened for reporting on alleged acts of corruption. On 2 May, Morona Santiago Governor Dionisio Cando Flores summoned Cabrera to a meeting at police headquarters. Cabrera was notified of the meeting by means of a legal citation normally used when someone has broken the law or illegally speculated on product prices. Recipients of the citation are usually charged and sometimes even detained.
Cabrera told IPYS that he opted to attend the meeting despite the coercion. The governor reportedly threatened him and warned him against reporting on certain matters. “Our lives could be at risk. Remember that we can be alive one day, and dead the next,” the governor reportedly said.
Cabrera explained that the governor and other provincial officials have been questioned about prior political activities and are suspected of having committed extortion. They have allegedly been charging applicants for government jobs US$20 to process each application. According to Alfonso Morocho, of radio station Voz del Upano, almost 800 employment applications have been received.
Cabrera said he based his reports on testimony from members of the governing party, Sociedad Patriótica. They allege that the governor, mayor and party leaders are implicated. Previously, the Ecuadorian president had also been implicated.
When questioned about the matter, National Communications Secretary Antonio Tramontana said that an investigation is underway and if the accusation is substantiated, steps will be taken to correct the situation, as has been done in the past.
The case was also brought to the attention of Interior Minister Mario Canesa, who coincidentally is a radio announcer and a former AER national president.
Morona Santiago officials did not respond to questions put to them by IPYS’s correspondent in Ecuador.
