The daily newspaper”El Comercio”, the country’s oldest and, according to public opinion, the most credible daily, is facing the threat of possible legal action aimed at taking over its control. According to the daily’s director, Alejandro Miro Quesada Cisneros, this would be an unwarranted legal move in favour of minority shareholders who support the government. […]
The daily newspaper”El Comercio”, the country’s oldest and, according to public opinion, the most credible daily, is facing the threat of possible legal action aimed at taking over its control. According to the daily’s director, Alejandro Miro Quesada Cisneros, this would be an unwarranted legal move in favour of minority shareholders who support the government.
A spokesman for “El Comercio” noted that conflicts among the company’s shareholders should be resolved by arbitration, and in accordance with the companyâs statutes.
The threat against “El Comercio”‘s majority shareholders was voiced on Sunday 12 March 2000, during the airing of the “Contra Punto” programme on Canal 2 Television. This television company is now in the hands of minority shareholders following a similar judicial action as the one currently facing “El Comercio”. Presently, Canal 2 is the most important television station to officially supports the government.
According to a report aired on the “Contra Punto” programme, “El Comercio”‘s main shareholders and directors are involved in crimes against the State and the remainder of the company’s shareholders. The alleged crimes include evasion of payment of debts owed to the State, misuse of American dollars that were given to the managers at a special price, unlawful use of company funds causing damage to the rest of the shareholders and bribery-related crimes.
By coincidence, this report was released only a few days after “El Comercio” alleged that extensive forging of signatures had marked the registration of some of the groups that make up the “Peru 2000” alliance, which supports the presidential candidacy of Alberto Fujimori.
This latest affront against “El Comercio” is considered a serious threat against independent journalism. Previously, the president expressed that press freedom exists in Peru and that the government would ensure that this would “definitely not occur.”
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the president:
– asking that concrete actions are taken to demonstrate respect for press freedom
Send appeals to the president of the Supreme Court:
– urging him to ensure that due process is followed in the case of the “El Comercio” shareholders
Appeals To
APPEALS TO:
Alberto Fujimori Fujimori
President of the Republic
Fax: +51 1 426 6770 / 427 6722 / 426 6535
E-mail: postmaster@pres.gob.pe
Victor Raul Castillo Castillo
President of the Supreme Court
Fax: +51 1 428 0803 / 426 8851
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
