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Alert

Ibagué radio journalist receives death threats

(FLIP/IFEX) - On 26 April 2005, journalist Gilberto Martínez Prado, director of the Colmundo Radio news programme, received a death threat in the southern city of Ibagué (Tolima). Upon arriving at the radio station at 12:30 p.m. (local time) he found a "sufragio" - a note written in the format of the traditional sympathy cards to relatives of deceased people. The threat read ". . . continue criticising, you're doing very well, you big son of a bitch, hide behind your microphone that makes you a big shot, but, just wait, 'malparido' [literally, a defective or aborted fetus], everyone winds up in the cemetery."

During the last few weeks, the journalist has been alleging financial mismanagement at Comfenalco (a national savings institution) and questioning the conduct of a former Tolima member of Congress.

The threats against the journalist began in January 2003, after he condemned on his programme the assassination of Felix Martínez Ramírez, vice-president of the Red de Veedurías - a network of citizens' watchdog bodies - and also the journalist's friend. Since then, Martínez Prado has been receiving telephone calls and "sufragios" repeatedly accusing him of being a "squealer" and warning him to stop condemning corruption.

Due to the repeated threats, Martínez Prado's case was submitted for consideration by the authorities running the Colombian government's journalists' protection programme. In March 2003, the risk assessment performed by the Administrative Department of Security (Departamento Administrativo de Seguridad, DAS) concluded that there was a latent threat against the journalist [under the protection programme, a "latent threat" is one believed to be manageable with preventive measures, but not warranting immediate relocation out of the community]. As a result, Martínez Prado has been provided with two bodyguards and an armoured vehicle. A 2 September 2004 risk assessment reached the same conclusion.

FLIP condemns the threats that Martínez Prado has been a victim of, and reiterates the need for all Colombian reporters to be able to carry out their work without any kind of intimidation or pressure. It also asks the State to continue providing protection for Martínez Prado so that he can continue his critical reporting without fear.