(PROBIDAD/IFEX) – On 27 May 2005, a defamation complaint was filed by several municipal government officials against journalist Manuel Santiago Cerna, director of the “Al Punto” and “Elecciones 2005” programmes broadcast by television channel 6 in the northern city of San Pedro Sula, 250 kilometres from the capital, Tegucigalpa. The plaintiffs are San Pedro Sula […]
(PROBIDAD/IFEX) – On 27 May 2005, a defamation complaint was filed by several municipal government officials against journalist Manuel Santiago Cerna, director of the “Al Punto” and “Elecciones 2005” programmes broadcast by television channel 6 in the northern city of San Pedro Sula, 250 kilometres from the capital, Tegucigalpa. The plaintiffs are San Pedro Sula financial manager Igmar Gonzáles Figueroa, communications and strategies director Serapio Umanzor, and the mayor’s assistant, Daniel Alberto Otero Muñoz.
The complaint is reportedly about allegations made by Cerna during the 22 May edition of “Al Punto” that these officials were behind a series of anonymous threats made to his mobile phone. While speaking on the television and radio, Cerna also said that Mayor Óscar Kilgore was a member of the group threatening him for his critical reporting on the way the town is being administered. Gonzáles and Umanzor claim that Cerna’s accusations are an affront to their dignity. The journalist has said he will hold the two officials responsible for any harm done to him or his family.
The complaint was filed in the San Pedro Sula’s Tribunal Secretariat, and was assigned to the B Chamber, presided by Judges Norma Iris Coto, Guillermo López and Claudia María Solís. Cerna and the plaintiffs will be called to a conciliation hearing. If no agreement is thereby reached, the journalist will be tried in open court.
