(SPP/IFEX) – The following is a 4 October 2001 SPP press release: SUPPORT FOR SPORTS JOURNALISTS The Paraguay Union of Journalists (Sindicato de Periodistas del Paraguay, SPP) would like to express its support for colleague Benicio Martínez, who was verbally assaulted by Sergio Markarián, trainer for the National team, and by the president of the […]
(SPP/IFEX) – The following is a 4 October 2001 SPP press release:
SUPPORT FOR SPORTS JOURNALISTS
The Paraguay Union of Journalists (Sindicato de Periodistas del Paraguay, SPP) would like to express its support for colleague Benicio Martínez, who was verbally assaulted by Sergio Markarián, trainer for the National team, and by the president of the Paraguyan Soccer Association (Asociacion Paraguaya de Fútbol, APF), Oscar Harrison. The SPP would also like to state that it stands behind all journalists who were targeted by the press release issued by this team’s players. The organisation condemns all such actions that are not in the spirit of a coexistence based on tolerance and democracy.
Sports officials, and particularly the individuals connected to the national team, should understand that their actions as regards the national team are of public interest and as such, as public figures, they will be subjected to public scrutiny.
The national team is important to Paraguayans and the team’s managers are obliged to provide information, be it good or bad.
The incident that occured on 2 October in the Manufactura Gloria stadium between Martínez and Markarián; the fact that the press was prevented from reporting on the third day of tryouts at the Cerro Porteño stadium; the 4 October debate on television during which Harrison accused Martínez and other journalists of inventing reality and looking to create controversies and conflicts; and the press release issued by the players which puts into question the media’s conduct – all these are nothing but unnecessary attacks on unrestricted access to information, the public’s right to be informed and its ability to question those individuals who are in the public eye.
The SPP calls on those connected to the national team to reflect on their actions and act sensibly, and urges its associates to look into this delicate situation and safeguard the right to inform. The organisation also urges the APF president and the national team’s trainer to try to reopen channels of communication with the public and reestablish a relationship of mutual respect with the press.
Nobody gains anything and all have something to lose when journalists are attacked and the task of informing is restricted.
Alfredo Martínez
Secretary General
Miguel H. Lopez
Human Rights and Labour Secretary
Asuncion, 4 October 2001
