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Alert

Journalist faces charges for airing report on corruption

(PFC/IFEX) - On 7 August 2003, charges were filed against journalist Rossana Guevara, director of the news programme TN5, broadcast on Televicentro Corporation's Canal 5 television station. Guevara is accused of defamation and slander in connection with the 20 May airing of a report on corruption and the collapse of banks in Honduras.

The complaint against Guevara was filed by Víctor Bendeck, a representative to the Central American Parliament (Parlamento Centroamericano, PARLACEN), a former banker and the owner of a number of media outlets. Bendeck is allegedly one of the people responsible for the failure of Banco Corporativo (Bancorp) bank and is currently in hiding.

According to the Prosecutor's Office, Bendeck and a number of his colleagues at the bank are accused of being behind the Bancorp scandal and bankruptcy, which resulted in losses estimated at US$52 million.

On 20 May, Guevara read a letter on the air from the National Anti-Corruption Council, which focused on the banks' failure and mentioned the Bancorp case and the fact that Bendeck had fled. Guevara told the Freedom of Expression Committee (Comité para la Libertad de Expresión, C-Libre) that Bendeck was apparently "offended" by this report and instructed his lawyers to launch legal action against the journalist for "defamation" and "slander". If found guilty, Guevara could face six to nine years in prison.

Guevara was summoned to appear before the court on 13 August for a conciliatory meeting. Her lawyer maintains, however, that she has not committed any crime, as Bendeck's case is well known.

On 5 August, Guevara complained that Bendeck's lawyers, accompanied by a court officer, went to Canal 5's studios to threaten and intimidate her. The journalist's complaint was communicated to Justice Court Chair Vilma Morales, who promised to investigate the actions of the court official.

C-Libre has condemned the legal action against Guevara, describing it as "an attack on freedom of expression, the right to information and the journalistic profession." This is the second case n the last month involving a journalist facing charges for distributing a report on corruption or organised crime. Legal action was recently launched against Renato Álvarez, who also works for Corporación Televicentro (see IFEX alerts of 28 and 3 July 2003).

Guevara and Álvarez are both well respected and experienced independent journalists who have always acted in a professional and ethical manner. Their programmes have large audiences because of the credibility they enjoy.

PFC and C-Libre have expressed their support for Guevara. In letters to the government, the two organisations called for the capture of individuals such as Bendeck who have fled from justice and attempt to prevent journalists from exercising their right to freedom of expression.

For PFC's protest letter and additional information on the case, see:
http://portal-pfc.org/perseguidos/2003/119.html