(PFC/IFEX) – On 24 March 2003, the TV Doce political commentary programme “Sin Censura” (“Uncensored”) was broadcast for the last time. The surprise cancellation of the programme follows a decision by the station’s majority shareholders. “Sin Censura”, which formed part of TV Doce’s news programming, was noted for the sharpness of its criticism on matters […]
(PFC/IFEX) – On 24 March 2003, the TV Doce political commentary programme “Sin Censura” (“Uncensored”) was broadcast for the last time. The surprise cancellation of the programme follows a decision by the station’s majority shareholders. “Sin Censura”, which formed part of TV Doce’s news programming, was noted for the sharpness of its criticism on matters of national interest.
TV Doce management has not publicly explained the reasons for cancelling “Sin Censura”, but it appears that for several years the station has suffered financially, owing to an advertising embargo by the government and certain businesses. According to “Sin Censura” host Mauricio Funes, the decision to cancel the programme can be traced back to “people who use their power to try and influence our news programming.” TV Doce was the only television station in the country that openly expressed its editorial position, via the “Sin Censura” programme.
In a letter to TV Doce Director-General Alejandro González, Probidad, the organisation that administers PFC, lamented the cancellation of “Sin Censura”. “The programme is important for a large segment of the television-viewing public, and its cancellation weakens and restricts the sources of information and opinion that citizens can access.”
Probidad recognised that, “as companies, the media are under pressure to remain solvent,” but deeply regretted that, “journalistic and editorial content is the first to be censored or cut when it collides with profitability.” In the letter, Probidad condemned “the management and investors of media companies, such as TV Doce, for not clearly explaining to their viewers the decisions behind restricting or cancelling certain programmes,” and for “not openly denouncing the groups that use economic or political pressure to influence programme content.”
Finally, Probidad noted that “the quality of a democracy is measured, among other factors, by the diversity and vigour of public debate and political criticism. The cancellation of ‘Sin Censura’ is therefore a serious setback.”
For Probidad’s letter and further information on the case, see:
http://probidad-sv.org/libexp/casos/2003/003.html
Recommended Action
Send appeals to TV Doce’s director-general:
– asking that the television station’s management and shareholders reverse their decision to cancel “Sin Censura”
Appeals To
Lic. Alejandro González
TV Doce Director-General
Fax: +503 247 7712
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
