On Thursday 9 December 1999, officials with the Ministry of Transportation and Communications ordered the closure of the Trujillo radio station, Radio Libertad, alleging that the station lacked official authorisation and was airing clandestine broadcasts. They also informed the station’s directors that if the order was not complied with, they would be subject to civil, […]
On Thursday 9 December 1999, officials with the Ministry of Transportation and Communications ordered the closure of the Trujillo radio station, Radio Libertad, alleging that the station lacked official authorisation and was airing clandestine broadcasts. They also informed the station’s directors that if the order was not complied with, they would be subject to civil, criminal and administrative sanctions.
Carlos Burmester, director of the programme Voice From The Street (La Voz de la Calle), broadcast by the station, and a member of the family that owns the station, rebuked the order, explaining that Radio Libertad has been functioning legally for fifty years. He demonstrated the respective licences, dating back to 5 November 1951, as well as proof of payment for the renewal of the licences for ten years.
Burmester noted that days earlier, he received a visit from members of the National Intelligence Service (Servicio de Inteligencia Nacional, SIN), who threatened him in order to get him to change his independent journalistic style. He added that he believed the occurrence signified a negative retaliation against independent radio stations in Peru.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
– asking for guarantees that Trujillo’s Radio Libertad can function without threats from state officials
– noting that according to the station’s owners, they have an official broadcasting licence
– urging the government to respect the station’s right to press freedom
Appeals To
Alberto Fujimori Fujimori
President of the Republic
Fax: +51 14 266 770 / 266 535
Alberto Pandolfi Arbulu
Minister of Transportation and Communications
Fax: +51 14 339 378 / 337 800
Jorge Santistevan De Noriega
Ombudsman
Fax: +51 14 266 657 / 267 800
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
