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Alert

IAPA concerned over latest newspaper closure

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 6 June 2003 IAPA press release:

IAPA concerned at new closure of newspaper in Dominican Republic

MIAMI, Florida (June 6, 2003) - The Inter American Press Association (IAPA) expressed concern today at the closure of the Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic newspaper Ultima Hora and said it would continue to keep a close watch on the situation following government receivership of a number of news media outlets in that country.

Ultima Hora management said in today's edition of the afternoon paper that it would cease publication due to financial problems. The newspaper belongs to the Banco Intercontinental bank group, which was placed under official receivership on accusations of alleged irregularities and accounting violations.

Ultima Hora, founded in 1970, is the second newspaper in the group, whose majority shareholder is Ramón Báez Figueroa, to cease publication - last week it announced the closure of El Financiero. Other components of the multimedia group are the newspapers Listín Diario and El Expreso, television station RNN and some 60 radio stations.

Rafael Molina, chairman of the IAPA's Committee on Freedom of the Press and Information, said that "the shutting down of a news media outlet always brings with it great concern, due to the fact that it reduces the plurality of information that is so essential to freedom of the press."

Molina, editor of the Dominican Republic news magazine Ahora, added, "This is of even greater concern given that the decision was made while the paper is under official receivership," and he declared that the IAPA will keep a close watch "on this process so as to be sure that press freedom is not besmirched."