The Argentine Association of Journalistic Entities (ADEPA in Spanish) released several statements on Friday, Sept. 7, asking authorities to ensure freedom of expression in the city of Pilar, in the province of Buenos Aires, according to the newspaper Diario Resumen.
Two of the statements were addressed to the mayor of Pilar, Humberto Zúccaro, and the president of the Deliberative Council, Marcelo Castillo, asking the two to ensure freedom of expression in the city and take measures to avoid attacks on journalists, reported the newspaper.
The petition was inspired by a verbal attack on journalist Marcos Bertolino last August by Councilman Diego Ranieli, the journalist told the newspaper Diario Pilar. Bertolino said that after he asked councilman Ranieli about his possible connection with La DOS, a group of officials and lawmakers dedicated to advancing Buenos Aires Governor Daniel Osvaldo Scioli, the official ordered all the microphones turned off so he could threaten and insult the journalist.
Argentina has seen a string of attacks and threats against journalists recently, especially by local municipal governments.
Note from the editor: This story was originally published by the Knight Center’s blog Journalism in the Americas, the predecessor of LatAm Journalism Review.
