1 July 2005
Alert
Huila province journalists express concern about governor's comments
(MISA/IFEX) - On 17 June 2005, Ramos da Cruz, governor of Angola's northern Huila province, accused the provincial National Radio of attempting to create an "unstable environment" in the province by airing a story about a delay in the payment of salaries to public servants.
Local workers of the Bridges National Company have reportedly been working without salary for two years. The radio story was based on interviews with the workers who expressed great anger about the situation.
Company representatives have responded that it is not their intention to deny workers their salaries. However, they are dependent on state departments based in the country's capital, Luanda. They added that efforts were being made to solve the problem as quickly as possible.
"We will not tolerate sensationalist journalists," Governor da Cruz reportedly told the press during a visit to the company's premises. Huila journalists have expressed great concern about what they consider to be a real threat against press freedom.
Source
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