(RSF/IFEX) – Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is concerned about the unexpected cancellation of a political programme called “Periodismo de Verdad” (“True Journalism”) by Canal 5 ATS television channel, in the northwestern province of Tucumán. It had been hosted for more than six years by Enrique “Harry” García Hamilton, the editor of the province’s leading daily, […]
(RSF/IFEX) – Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is concerned about the unexpected cancellation of a political programme called “Periodismo de Verdad” (“True Journalism”) by Canal 5 ATS television channel, in the northwestern province of Tucumán. It had been hosted for more than six years by Enrique “Harry” García Hamilton, the editor of the province’s leading daily, “La Gaceta”.
“The station’s explanations are not very convincing,” RSF said. “García says his programme was yanked as a result of political pressure. If true, this would be an act of censorship and political meddling in the running of a TV station. Attempts by local politicians to influence a privately-owned station’s programming are unacceptable.”
The Canal 5 ATS management told García they did not want to renew his contract before the programme’s anticipated resumption of transmission on 13 March 2006. García claims that this was because the provincial government had threatened to withdraw state advertising worth 75,000 pesos (approx. 20,400 euros).
The station denies this. The head of Canal 5 ATS, Alberto Matías, told the daily newspaper “Clarín” that “Periodismo de Verdad” was dropped simply because the station had decided it had too many political programmes and wanted to make room for more entertainment.
