“Cameramen Percy Suárez and Walter Chama, from Bolivian private networks ATB and Red Uno, respectively, were arrested and transported in a security vehicle to a police station [on Feb. 19]. After approximately 40 minutes, they were released following protests from their colleagues against the excessive zeal of the police, Suárez told the Monitoring Unit of Bolivia’s National Press Association (ANP, by its initials in Spanish).
Chama was operating an aerial device (drone), while Suárez was rushing to bring broadcast equipment […] to the place where the murder of a police officer had taken place, in the northern part of the city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra. […] Despite the high temperatures, both journalists were held inside a metal-framed truck. After informing another officer of their duties at the place of arrest, they were released, Suárez said.
The arrest violated the freedom of the press recognized by the Political Constitution of the State (CPE), as well as the right to work and freedom of information, constituting an instance of undue detention, according to the Monitoring Unit of the newspapers represented by the ANP.”
