Freedom of expression organizations in Nicaragua protested the rumored sale of television station Canal 2 to the Mexican businessman Ángel González, who is also the owner of Canal 10--the most watched station in the Central American country--as well as channels 4, 9, and 11, reported the newspaper El Nuevo Diario on Nov. 29.
Protesters said the concentration of media ownership and the monopolization of editorial voice threatens freedom of expression, according to El Nuevo Diario.
González, who lives in Miami, is nicknamed "The Ghost" because he never gives interviews to the press. He owns television stations in Argentina, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Peru, Ecuador, and Chile, reported El Universal. González is considered a friend and associate of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega because he invested in the president's family's television business, according to La Prensa. El Nuevo Diario also said that Canal 10 only broadcasts entertainment programs and avoids any kind of investigative journalism.
Octavio Sacasa, owner of Canal 2, denied rumors that the station was for sale but admitted there was a deal with the González to air foreign programming, reported El Nuevo Diario.
