Media intimidation and  self-censorship

It is clear that the defamation campaigns against our journalists, accompanied by unjustified threats from the Government, pursue self-censorship and intimidation. This administration defines itself as respectful of freedom of expression, but its actions are not consistent. If we add to this that it is customary for its officials to reward friendly media with publicity and punish independent media because they are critical of its management, the result is that its speech is as hollow as many of its unfulfilled promises.

The last straw is that the vice president denies his participation in the defamation campaigns and in the Mitradel inspection of this medium, after receiving a questionnaire from journalists from La Prensa to obtain his version for future reports. And, in addition, a Minister of Labor who, faced with the fact, pretends not to understand. Thus, one cannot help but wonder if the government call centers and labor inspectors act on their own since no one is responsible for their actions. This is one of the situations in which officials prefer to ask for forgiveness – and send the message – than to ask for permission. Not even the military was so grotesque when lying. – LA PRENSA, Oct. 8.