(IPYS/IFEX) – On 14 January 2005, a crowd of approximately 40 people assaulted Daniel Ortiz, journalist and host of Geomar FM radio station’s “En Positivo” programme. Geomar FM is based in Punta de Mata, Monagas state, northeastern Venezuela. Ortiz told IPYS that his assailants were supporters of President Hugo Chávez’s political party, the Movimiento Quinta […]
(IPYS/IFEX) – On 14 January 2005, a crowd of approximately 40 people assaulted Daniel Ortiz, journalist and host of Geomar FM radio station’s “En Positivo” programme. Geomar FM is based in Punta de Mata, Monagas state, northeastern Venezuela.
Ortiz told IPYS that his assailants were supporters of President Hugo Chávez’s political party, the Movimiento Quinta República (MVR), and also members of the GEIN political group. According to the journalist, he was covered with red paint, assaulted and taken by force to Plaza Bolivar, in Punta de Mata. “Fortunately, the police arrived on time. They threatened to apply ‘popular justice’ against me. I don’t know what they meant by that,” Ortiz said.
Ramón Hernández, a Geomar FM sound technician, explained that Ortiz had broadcast information against the MVR party during his programme. “It really upset Chávez’s supporters. That is why they did what they did,” the technician said. The journalist responded that he only read on the air a local newspaper article about Ángel Centeno, the newly appointed mayor of Zamora, Monagas state. Centeno is a member of the MVR party.
Ortiz explained that the situation in Monagas state has been very tense due to the fact that some members of the opposition have voiced concern over the 2004 regional elections and Centeno’s electoral win is being questioned by opposition groups.
