(SPP/IFEX) – The following is an abridged 24 December 2007 SPP press release: A year of struggle, setbacks and advances Throughout 2007, governmental hostility and labour issues hounded journalists. The most serious setback of the year was the murder of Alberto Tito Palma, a radio journalist from Mayor Otaño, who was killed in August in […]
(SPP/IFEX) – The following is an abridged 24 December 2007 SPP press release:
A year of struggle, setbacks and advances
Throughout 2007, governmental hostility and labour issues hounded journalists. The most serious setback of the year was the murder of Alberto Tito Palma, a radio journalist from Mayor Otaño, who was killed in August in retaliation for his reporting. The state’s unwillingness or inability to offer him protection makes the government an accomplice in his killing.
On the other hand, missing journalist Enrique Galeano reappeared, and testified that crime organisations, supported by politicians, predominate in the country’s north.
Also of importance in 2007 were ongoing efforts to democratise media. With the Paraguayan Association of Community Radio Stations (Asociación Paraguaya de Radios Comunitarias, Comunica), SPP fought against government persecution of community radio.
The year was also fruitful in terms of collaboration, labour action, and the debate of urgent free expression issues.
The year 2008 will no doubt bring new challenges. The SPP stands firm in its determination to continue working for the rights of journalists.
