(IPYS/IFEX) – Two journalists from the Caracol Radio programme La Luciérnaga resigned, prompting the resurgence of the topic of repeated censorship attempts by Colombian President Andrés Pastrana’s government against the critical press. On 3 May 2001, the World Press Freedom Day celebration in Colombia began with news of the programme’s uncertain future. The programme is […]
(IPYS/IFEX) – Two journalists from the Caracol Radio programme La Luciérnaga resigned, prompting the resurgence of the topic of repeated censorship attempts by Colombian President Andrés Pastrana’s government against the critical press.
On 3 May 2001, the World Press Freedom Day celebration in Colombia began with news of the programme’s uncertain future. The programme is known for its critical and shrewd humour. Journalist Édgar Artunduaga resigned because of alleged government pressure. Later that day programme director Hernán Peláez resigned on the air.
IPYS’ correspondent in Colombia learned that La Luciérnaga would continue without Peláez, programme director during its nine years on the air. In his farewell speech, read moments before the end of that day’s broadcast, the director reaffirmed his support for his friend and co-worker.
Though Caracol station owner Grupo Empresarial Bavaria has not issued an official statement, the main media under its control have taken sides in the case, affirming their support for Artunduaga.
Carlos Lleras de la Fuente, director of the daily “El Espectador”, announced that he would report Pastrana’s government to international bodies for press freedom violations and for “having gone after journalists who opposed the regime.”
Speaking on the 6 AM 9 AM programme, Caracol Radio news director Darío Arizmendi requested more information about the pressure exerted against Artunduaga. Arizmendi recalled already known cases such as that of journalist Claudia Gurissati, of RCN Television programme La Noche. An attempt was made to censor her interview with Colombian United Self Defence Groups (Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia, AUC) leader Carlos Castaño.
In his farewell address, Peláez stated: “I have made the decision to resign immediately as La Luciérnaga director for one simple reason: I do not agree with the process and pressure that caused Édgar Artunduaga to leave.”
That morning, Peláez had issued a statement to the press reiterating that Artunduaga was pressured by the government, including the Taxation and Customs Bureau (Direccion Nacional de Impuestos Nacionales y Aduanas, DIAN) and the Communications Ministry.
The president’s press secretary, Samuel Salazar, responded: “You are unclear in your accusations by saying ‘I think’ and ‘it seems to me that’. Using criticism and humour to express yourself is one thing but using the same means to accuse the government of violating the Constitution is quite another.”
In a letter to Peláez, the press secretary asked him to hand over proof and the names of people who, in the government’s name, caused Artunduaga’s resignation. The La Luciérnaga director replied that he would not play the game of providing explanations to the government.
Guillermo Díaz Salamanca, another journalist who contemplated leaving the programme, has confirmed that he will stay on.
President Pastrana said that “one cannot just throw ideas around to tarnish a government. My government has been the most active in propelling press freedom, and I say this as a journalist, as a colleague and as the president.”
Attorney General Alfonso Gomez Méndez told IPYS that, “absolute press freedom does not exist anywhere in the world. In Colombia there are large limitations due to the violence.” He also added that if censorship does exist it stems from the drug traffickers, paramilitaries and guerillas.
Presidential candidate Horacio Serpa told IPYS that he is absolutely opposed to these anti-democratic processes.
In his resignation letter to Caracol President José Manuel Restrepo, Artunduaga states that “a year ago a high ranking civil servant close to the presidency suggested that I leave the country (I think in good faith), in order to avoid any personal problems for my criticism of the government (…).” He continues: “I felt the offer made to me by Cadena SER in Spain was a nice gesture, but I decided to stay in the country.”
“As a journalist, I find such a tacit and obligatory gag unacceptable. I agree with those who believe that the greatest danger for a journalist nowadays is self-censorship,” the reporter said.
Artunduaga also affirmed: “President Pastrana, in his attempt to implement the peace process, has confused roles, treating journalists as though they were subversives.” He ends by saying: “I am going to take a long vacation with my children in order to reflect upon the utopian idea of a dignified free press in Colombia.”
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
– protesting the pressures and censorship that journalist Artunduaga and the programme team of Caracol’s La Luciérnaga have suffered
Appeals To
APPEALS TO:
Andrés Pastrana Arango
President of the Republic
Carrera 8 No. 7-26, Bogotá
Fax: +571 336 2109 / 286 7937 / 286 7434
Email: pastrana@presidencia.gov.co
Alfonso Gomez Méndez
Attorney General
Diagonal 22B No. 52-01
Fax: +571 570 2000, ext.1587
Email: contacto@fiscalia.gov.co
Senator Gabriel Zapata
President of the Senate’s Human Rights Committee
Carrera 7 No. 8-68, Oficina 707, edificio nuevo del Congreso
Fax: +571 350 1031
Email: zapatagei@senado.gov.co
Send letters of support to:
Caracol Radio
www.caracol.com.co
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
