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Alerts - Paraguay

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Paraguay

Journalist targeted by drug traffickers may have to move abroad

Cándido Figueredo says he has no doubt who is behind the threats since he reported on the destruction of two underground routes used to smuggle drugs into Brazil and Bolivia.

Paraguay

Growing impunity for alleged instigators of radio journalist's murder

The latest blow to the Merardo Romero murder case came on 31 December 2011 when one of the suspected instigators, local official Fidel Duarte, was released on bail.

Paraguay

Politicians accused of masterminding journalist's murder still at large

The important political posts held by the suspected masterminds behind the killing of Merardo Romero seem to account for the lack of progress in the investigation, says RSF.

Paraguay

Concern over judicial harassment of "ABC Color" newspaper

In the most recent example, celebrity politician and entrepreneur Zunilda Castiñeira filed a criminal defamation suit against journalist Sandra López.

Paraguay

SPP condemns death threats against journalists in Alto Verá

Both journalists have discussed cases of corruption, involving Partido Liberal Radical Auténtico (PLRA) members, on their radio shows.

Paraguay

IFJ rejects link between firing of union leader and bomb attack at television network

IFJ accuses authorities of a "scandalous smear" after police in Asunción claimed an explosion at Channel 9 TV could be linked to internal tensions at the station.

Paraguay

IAPA condemns attack on TV station

A home-made bomb exploded near Canal 9's antenna, opening up a hole in the adjoining building.

Paraguay

SPP concerned over threat against journalist

After announcing details of a demonstration to protest against a lack of public safety, journalist Rosendo Duarte received a threatening telephone call.

Paraguay

SPP condemns actions against journalist, attempt to censor radio station

Unidentified individuals fired gunshots and threatened journalist Martín Caballero, who has been publicising allegations related to a strike by steelworkers.

Paraguay

Three assassination attempts against journalist

The attacks were apparently prompted by the journalist's criticism of businessman Isidro Vera during his radio programme.

Paraguay

SPP concerned over censorship in Ciudad del Este

Two radio programmes were taken off the air, one journalist was dismissed and another journalist was forced to resign.

Paraguay

Journalists assaulted by police, prevented from speaking to detainees

The incident took place at a press conference held by the national police chief in Concepción.

Paraguay

SPP condemns attack on journalist Santiago Benítez's residence

Unidentified individuals fire a hail of bullets at journalist Santiago Benítez's house

Paraguay

Journalists Rosendo Duarte and William Aquino face defamation charges in two separate cases brought against them by local politicians

(SPP/IFEX) - The following is an abbreviated translation of a 26 March 2009 SPP statement:

Paraguay

Community radio director Martín Ocampos Páez killed

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a translation of a 13 February 2009 IFJ media release:

Paraguay

Correspondent Aldo Lezcano assaulted, receives death threat; journalist Richard Villasboa and camera operator Blas Salcedo assaulted, expelled from penitentiary

(SPP/IFEX) - The SPP condemns the death threat and assault against Aldo Lezcano, a correspondent for the daily "ABC Color" in Ybycuí, as well as the assault suffered earlier by Richard Villasboa and Blas Salcedo, of the Canal 13 television station.

Paraguay

Football player assaults and issues death threats against "Popular" newspaper journalists

(SPP/IFEX) - The SPP condemns the actions of football player Marcos Lazaga, of the Olympia Club, who assaulted journalist Gabriela León and destroyed photographer Oscar González's camera. León and González both work for the "Popular" newspaper.

Paraguay

Correspondent threatened by peasant farmers fighting for land rights

(SPP/IFEX) - The SPP condemns the issuing of a threat against Alberto Núñez, a correspondent for Nation Group Communications (Grupo Nación de Comunicaciones) in the department of San Pedro. According to Núñez, on 31 October 2008, he was threatened by five peasant farmers who were fighting for land rights and had been detained by police at the Capiibary 17th Division Police Station.

Paraguay

Journalists assaulted by lawyer

(SPP/IFEX) - The following is an abbreviated version of a 21 October 2008 SPP press release:

Paraguay / Venezuela

Journalists impeded in attempts to cover Venezuelan president's visit to Paraguay

(SPP/IFEX) - On 18 August 2008, the SPP filed a complaint with the Venezuelan embassy in Asunción about incidents that took place on 16 August in San Pedro del Ykuamandyjú in which several journalists were prevented from carrying out their work.

Paraguay

Two journalists assaulted by police while trying to cover demonstration against homelessness

(SPP/IFEX) - The SPP condemns the cowardly assault on "La Nación" newspaper journalists Gerardo Benítez and Ismael Villalba by members of the national police force.

Paraguay / Dominican Republic

ARTICLE 19 celebrates judicial decisions recognising access to public information as a fundamental human right

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is an ARTICLE 19 press release:

Paraguay

"ABC Color" journalists, editor cleared of defamation accusations stemming from coverage of highway contract irregularities

(SPP/IFEX) - On 30 April 2008 the SPP welcomed the court ruling absolving journalists Enrique Dávalos and Carlos Cáceres of defamation, calumny and injury to the former auditors of the Comptroller General's Office (Contraloría General de la República), alleged to have been caused by their articles investigating irregularities in the fulfillment of highway contracts.

Paraguay

Community radio stations bracing for possible military incursions following irresponsible accusations by President Duarte

(AMARC/IFEX) - AMARC-Paraguay and the Paraguayan Association for Community Communication (Asociación Paraguaya de Comunicación Comunitaria, COMUNICA) condemn the recent statements by Paraguayan President Nicanor Duarte, accusing "community radio stations" in the San Pedro department of acquiring explosives, allegedly in preparation for violent actions to take place on 20 April 2008, national elections day.

Paraguay

Radio journalist critical of drug-trafficking seriously wounded, his wife killed, in shooting attack

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF is very worried by a shooting attack that took place on 8 April 2008 in Curuguaty (300 km north-east of Asunción) in which political activist and radio commentator Alfredo Tomás Avalos was seriously injured by a gunshot to the head and his Brazilian wife, Silvana Rodrígues, was killed. The organisation fears the Paraguayan media is in danger due to the tension surrounding the 20 April elections to choose a successor to President Nicanor Duarte.

Paraguay

Journalist alleges his pending dismissal orchestrated by politician, following threat

(SPP/IFEX) - The SPP condemns the effort by the Concepción-based newspaper "ABC Color" to dismiss, without just cause, its reporter, Telmo Ibáñez. The attempted firing is apparently based on the effort of a politician, believed to be involved in acts of corruption, to frame the journalist. The politician in question had previously threatened Ibáñez that he would "bring him down" as a journalist.

Paraguay

Presidential candidate publicly berates, intimidates critical journalist

(SPP/IFEX) - The SPP firmly repudiates the irresponsible, malicious and absurd accusations made by presidential candidate Lino Oviedo against "ABC Color" newspaper journalist Roberto González.

Paraguay

Journalists prevented from covering prosecutor general's meeting with opposition politicians about a murder

(SPP/IFEX) - The SPP condemns the actions taken by the national prosecutor's office (Fiscalía General del Estado) and the National Police against Diana González, of "Última Hora" daily newspaper, and Eduardo Quintana, of the daily "ABC Color". The organization regards the actions as a violation of freedom of expression and freedom of the press.

Paraguay

One journalist killed, but struggle to democratise media continued in 2007, says SPP

(SPP/IFEX) - The following is an abridged 24 December 2007 SPP press release:

Paraguay

IAPA opposes proposed law governing journalistic activity

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 20 December 2007 IAPA press release:

Paraguay

"ABC Color" journalists threatened; president describes critical media as "enemy of the country"

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has deplored the "outrageous" charge by President Nicanor Duarte Frutos that opposition media were "enemies of the country" and expressed concern about growing intimidation of local media outlets in the run-up to national elections scheduled for April 2008.

Paraguay

Journalist investigating corruption harassed by public official's security guard

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 26 September 2007, the Paraguayan Journalists' Forum (FOPEP) condemned an act of intimidation directed against "ABC Color" journalist Mabel Rehnfeldt on that same day by a security guard of Víctor Bernal, director of the Itaipú Bi-national (Paraguay - Brazil) Hydroelectric Plant.

Paraguay

Journalists assaulted, harassed while covering release from jail of former military general

(SPP/IFEX) - The SPP condemns the mistreatment of journalists Luis Acosta of Radio Mil and Félix Chávez of Radio 1000, based in Asuncion. The incident in question occurred in Caacupé on 6 September 2007, while the journalists were attempting to cover the release from prison of former general Lino Oviedo.

Paraguay

Chilean radio journalist murdered by uniformed men in Itapúa department

(SPP/IFEX) - According to a police report, Tito Alberto Palma Godoy, a radio journalist based in Mayor Otaño - a town in the department of Itapúa, in southeastern Paraguay - was shot dead on the night of 22 August 2007, by two people wearing military uniforms. He was with his wife, Wilma Martínez, who was also shot, and his father-in-law, Aparicio Martínez, at the time of the murder. Palma Godoy, of Chilean nationality, had settled in Paraguay several years before. The SPP condemns this murder and asks the government to conduct a thorough investigation of the case to ensure the punishment of the masterminds as well as the direct perpetrators of this crime.

Paraguay / Brazil

IAPA hails conviction in Brazil of mastermind behind murder of Paraguayan newsman

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is an IAPA press release:

Paraguay

Amambay governor assaults critical photojournalist; Asunción municipal security guards beat, detain two newspaper journalists

(SPP/IFEX) - The SPP condemns several recent acts of verbal and physical aggression perpetrated against several journalists in Amambay, a department in Paraguay's northeast, and in Asunción, the country's capital.

Paraguay

Government threatens to shut down educational radio station in Itapúa

(AMARC/IFEX) - The nongovernmental organisation CECTEC (Centro de Educación Capacitación y Tecnología Campesina) has condemned a decision by the telecommunications entity Comisión Nacional de Telecomunicaciones (CONATEL) to shut down an educational radio station based in Itapúa. CONATEL appears to be acting under the influence of politicians close to President Nicanor Duarte who control the region.

Paraguay

Photographer, cameraman assaulted, threatened for filming shopping mall fire

(SPP/IFEX) - The SPP condemns the mistreatment of journalists Diego Villasanti, cameraperson for television station Canal13 of Ciudad del Este, and Víctor Azcona, photojournalist with the Ciudad del Este-based newspaper "Vanguardia". Ciudad del Este is the capital of Alto Paraná department.

Paraguay / Brazil

Paraguayan radio journalist Enrique Galeano reappears alive 17 months after being abducted, tortured, taken to Brazil

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF is greatly relieved by the news that journalist Enrique Galeano of Radio Azotey has reappeared alive 17 months after he went missing on 4 February 2006 in the central department of Concepción, where he lived and worked.

Paraguay

Community radio stations closed in response to pressure from business interests; allocation of frequencies politically biased, says AMARC

(AMARC/IFEX) - AMARC condemns the closure of various radio stations belonging to the Paraguayan Association of Community Communication (Asociación Paraguaya de Comunicación Comunitaria, COMUNICA), due to the strong pressure brought to bear upon the courts by commercial radio companies.

Paraguay

Woman journalist receives death threat after criticising company owned by member of Congress

(SPP/IFEX) - The SPP condemns the death threat received by Clyde Martínez, correspondent for "ABC Color" newspaper in the city of Pilar, and holds local authorities and Benjamín Macial Pasotti, a Colorado party member of the Congress's Chamber of Representatives, responsible for her safety.

Paraguay

Journalist threatened with legal action by Pilar appeals court member after critical article

(SPP/IFEX) - Rubén Franco, a member of the Appeals Court of the city of Pilar (Cámara de Apelaciones del Poder Judicial de Pilar), has threatened Mauricio Acosta, a journalist with the Pilar-based newspaper "Ultima Hora", with legal action after the latter published articles that quoted social activists criticising the judiciary.

Paraguay

Radio journalist receives death threat from anti-drug agents, his phone and another journalist's illegally tapped, for reporting on corruption

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF is concerned for the safety of Vladimir Jara and Víctor Benítez of radio Chaco Boreal, who have received threats and whose phones have been illegally tapped since revealing alleged corruption within Paraguay's National Anti-Drug Secretariat (Secretaría Nacional Antidrogas, SENAD). The organisation calls on the authorities to carry out both disciplinary and criminal investigations into the matter.

Paraguay

Journalist receives ongoing death threats over reporting on drug-trafficking in Itapúa

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 14 May 2007, journalist Óscar Bogado, a correspondent for the newspaper "Última Hora", revealed that he has been receiving death threats by telephone. The threats began in January 2006 and he is still receiving them. According to Bogado, each of the threats was made immediately after he published an article about drug trafficking in the department of Itapúa, southern Paraguay.

Paraguay

President Duarte affirms commitment to press freedom, signs Declaration of Chapultepec

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is an abridged translation of a 22 February 2007 IAPA press release:

Paraguay

Press freedom uncertain until journalist's disappearance is solved, impunity in murders ended, and "damages awards industry" curbed, warns IAPA

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 23 February 2007 IAPA press release:

Paraguay

Lives of two journalists under threat; television programme pulled at senator's behest

(SPP/IFEX) - The SPP has expressed its extreme concern for the safety of Javier Núñez, correspondent for the daily newspaper "Ultima Hora" and Canal 9 television station in the city of Coronel Oviedo, capital of the department of Caaguazú. Vernicio Scherer, currently in prison and accused of car theft and trafficking in stolen cars, has threatened to kill Núñez and "his people" when he is eventually released from prison. The threat was made after Núñez reported on a search of Scherer's auto wrecking shop conducted by the prosecutor's office, during which parts from more than 80 stolen vehicles were found.

Paraguay

Local investigation now centred on possibility missing journalist was kidnapped; CPJ urges intensification of investigation

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is an 8 February 2007 CPJ letter to the Paraguayan president:

Paraguay

Prime suspects still not questioned in journalist's disappearance and "probable murder" one year ago after writing on drug and weapons seizure

(RSF/IFEX) - One the eve of the first anniversary of local radio journalist Enrique Galeano's disappearance and probable murder on 4 February 2006 in Yby Yaú, in the southern department of Concepción, RSF has voiced outrage at the cynicism and inaction displayed by the authorities in this case.

Paraguay

IAPA submits to IACHR results of investigation into journalist Santiago Leguizamón's murder

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 19 January 2007 IAPA press release:

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