(IPYS/IFEX) – On 6 April 2006, Minister for Communications and Information William Lara asked the Social Responsibility Directorate, the institution in charge of verifying the observance of the Radio and Television Social Responsibility Law, to thoroughly examine the news coverage by TV channels and radio stations of the murder of three kidnapped children, their driver […]
(IPYS/IFEX) – On 6 April 2006, Minister for Communications and Information William Lara asked the Social Responsibility Directorate, the institution in charge of verifying the observance of the Radio and Television Social Responsibility Law, to thoroughly examine the news coverage by TV channels and radio stations of the murder of three kidnapped children, their driver and a photographer, as well as the demonstrations which have taken place in recent days. The Directorate has been asked to evaluate if any regulations have been violated, to decide on the penalty to be applied if they have, and to mete out any sanctions.
In a morning press conference, Lara warned media owners not to encourage a situation of tension similar to that of 2002 and 2003, caused, according to the official, by the “TV channels, radio stations and newspapers’ bombardment of lies”.
On 7 April, the Directorate sent a press release to audiovisual media outlets exhorting them to abide by the law and by the journalistic code of ethics.
