Government launches attack campaign against critics

As images of the violent confrontation between Panama’s riot squads and indigenous  protestors circle the world, the government has launched an advertising campaign denouncing critics of the Martinelli administration.

The campaign focuses on the media, elected opposition members and the National Front for Democracy and highlights Panama’s most respected daily newspaper, La Prensa which survived raids ans closure under the Noriega dictatorship.

"Once again the opponents of the President will attack with lies," reads one message posted, and then mixes images of Vice President and President of the Panamanian Party, Juan Carlos Varela, and members of the Democratic Revolutionary Pedro Miguel Gonzalez and Balbina Herrera.

In one of its advertisements, the government uses images of the front page of La Prensa, which the President recently waved in the National Assembly during a long homily against critics.

The campaign has already generated more criticism for the administration whose popular support has been in free fall for months.

The president of the National Bar Association, Cesar Ruiloba, condemned the  attack program. "We do not agree with this type of approach, that when the media expresses criticism, it is corroded by the opposition. Under no circumstances can we support this kind of speech in a democratic regime."

The president of the National Journalism Council, Norma Nuñez Montoto, said she still does not quite understand the obsession the government for blaming the media for everything bad that happens.

"The facts now occupy TV screens. This time accusing the newspaperLa Prensa, confirms with us that  no doubt,  truth  will prevail over pedantry e insult and outrage against the truth.

 Philemon Medina, secretary general of the Union of Journalists condemned the president's style of governing with policies of confrontation, trying to discredit the media and journalists, as well as leaders and members of civil society.

Guido Rodriguez, the Forum of Journalists, said the government should make an introspection to determine the errors committed in the last two years, instead of seeking to ascribe guilt to others.

Solomon Shamah, the manager of tourism who has recently become a regular spokesman for the administration, although at one time the president has announced his planned replacement said: "we are only echoing a story put out by the newspaper La Prensa"