(PFC/IFEX) – Early in the morning on 6 February 2003, journalists from the UNC-CALF FM radio station, based in Neuquén province, noticed that the station’s walls had been painted overnight with insulting graffiti. The insults were directed at journalist Carlos Marcel, host of the programme “La Palangana”, in response to his criticism of Governor Jorge […]
(PFC/IFEX) – Early in the morning on 6 February 2003, journalists from the UNC-CALF FM radio station, based in Neuquén province, noticed that the station’s walls had been painted overnight with insulting graffiti. The insults were directed at journalist Carlos Marcel, host of the programme “La Palangana”, in response to his criticism of Governor Jorge Sobisch’s administration. Marcel has also received threats on the telephone and by e-mail.
Unknown individuals sprayed graffiti warning Marcel to stop targeting Sobisch, broke some of the station’s windows and threw a bottle presumably filled with muriatic acid inside the building.
According to PFC, the incident is part of a growing number of attacks on journalists and the media in Neuquén, allegedly instigated by the provincial government authorities. Governor Sobisch recently suspended government advertising in the daily “Río Negro” in reprisal for the newspaper’s reports on influence-peddling in the local legislature (see IFEX alert of 10 January 2003).
In a letter to Sobisch, PFC expressed its concern over the incident targetin Marcel and UNC-CALF FM radio and urged the governor to put an end to his “intolerant attitude towards those who criticise his administration.” “By trying to silence journalists and the media, you will not stop the criticism,” PFC warned the governor. “The proper way to address allegations of corruption or irregularities is to cease restricting access to information, fully investigate alleged improprieties and punish those responsible for them,” the organisation said.
For PFC’s letter to Governor Sobisch, reports and other information on the case, see:
http://portal-pfc.org/perseguidos/2003/010.html
For further information on the suspension of government advertising in “Río Negro”, see:
http://portal-pfc.org/perseguidos/2003/002.html
Recommended Action
Send appeals to Governor Sobisch:
– asking that he diligently investigate the threats and attacks against Marcel and UNC-CALF FM and punish those responsible
– urging him to curb his intolerance against those who criticise his administration, as was the case with “Río Negro”
Appeals To
Jorge Omar Sobisch
Governor of Neuquén Province
Fax: +54 299 448 3140
E-mail: gobernadorsobisch@neuquen.gov.ar
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
