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Alert

Journalists assaulted during demonstration in Ancash

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 19 June 2004, three journalists were assaulted while reporting on events in the city of Caraz, in Ancash region, northern Peru. The journalists were reporting on a demonstration against Mayor Roberto Espejo Ramírez, who is accused of mismanaging municipal affairs.

Journalist Fredy Valenzuela Robles, of the "Noticiero Regional" programme, which is broadcast by the Huaraz affiliate of the ATV television network, was filming local residents throwing rocks at the police when his camera was snatched and destroyed.

Luis Hermosa Gloria, of the Canal 2 television news programme in Huaraz, was assaulted by a group enraged by the confrontation between civilians and police.

Ladizlao Cruz Villachica, a reporter for Radio Armonía station in Huaraz, was surrounded by demonstrators who were poised to attack him but was rescued in time by police. The demonstrators said the manner in which the journalist was reporting on events was not "what they had hoped for."

The Ancash Regional Journalists' Association and the Huaraz Province Journalists' Federation condemned the attacks against the journalists.