Peru silences radio station
Peru has canceled the license of La Voz (via Global Voices).
While the government claims the closure is over some documentation issues, it's clear that this shut down is due to the radio station's reporting during the recent violence in Bagua. The radio station was broadcasting live from Northern Peru and was giving voice to indigenous protesters who claimed human rights abuses by the Peruvian security forces. Various Peruvian government officials have attacked the station for its reporting on the clashes, claiming that they were inciting violence.
By claiming its a technical licensing issue, however, the Peru government is dodging the issue altogether and not fully explaining its decision. Even before the recent round of violence, the Peruvian government had been steadily encroaching on the free media including Panamericana TV.
This is a disturbing pattern of censorship from the Garcia government and one that should be condenmed by the US and international community.
While the government claims the closure is over some documentation issues, it's clear that this shut down is due to the radio station's reporting during the recent violence in Bagua. The radio station was broadcasting live from Northern Peru and was giving voice to indigenous protesters who claimed human rights abuses by the Peruvian security forces. Various Peruvian government officials have attacked the station for its reporting on the clashes, claiming that they were inciting violence.
By claiming its a technical licensing issue, however, the Peru government is dodging the issue altogether and not fully explaining its decision. Even before the recent round of violence, the Peruvian government had been steadily encroaching on the free media including Panamericana TV.
This is a disturbing pattern of censorship from the Garcia government and one that should be condenmed by the US and international community.
Labels: censorship, conflict, human rights, latinamerica, media, Peru |
