By Maira Magro
The Paraguayan Journalists' Union (SPP) says media workers in Ciudad del Este are subject to persecution, firings for political reasons, censorship, and threats, Última Hora reports. The union blames the city’s mayor and her supporters for the abuse.
The organization cites several recent cases. One is Osvaldo Brítez, who reported on city government irregularities on his radio program. He was censored and was offered a bribe to self-censor, ABC Color explains. Victoriano Rojas, from the same station, has also faced similar pressure.
Other examples include: Florinda Vega, whose radio program on Magnífica FM was reportedly taken off the air after she refused to participate in a political campaign; and the station Tierra Roja, which was allegedly shut down for broadcasting opinions against a political group said to be linked to the mayor’s husband.
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.
