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Alert

Radio journalist harassed by public servant

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 31 December 2009, journalist Rodolfo Lobo Tello, presenter of the Radio Feroz program "Contamana al Día", was harassed and threatened by Paquito Ramírez Gratelly, director of the Local Education Administration Unit (Unidad de Gestión Educativa Local, UGEL). The incident took place in the city of Contamana, Loreto region, in northeastern Peru.

The official violently burst into the broadcasting booth, angered by comments made by the journalist who accused him of being responsible for the UGEL's debts, which was the result of "bad management and incompetence." The journalist had also reported on the unrest among teachers who did not receive their year-end bonuses. According to the journalist, the money for the bonuses had been used to pay some of the UGEL's debts.

The official attacked the journalist, threatening him and demanding to be interviewed so that he could defend himself. The journalist refused to do so in those conditions and Ramírez's reaction became even more violent. In the end, they agreed to hold the interview on another date.