The date gave rise to various reflections on the part of trade union organizations, such as the National Association of Journalists (ANP), for which the date, which commemorates the founding of the Diario de Lima on October 1, 1743, is celebrated under “circumstances”. “challenging” for the job.
A statement from the ANP refers to what many still see as a latent attempt to restrict the freedom of information of conservative forces in parliament.
“The permanent siege of those who inform shows that today, as yesterday, those who seek to shorten democratic spaces first want to neutralize the right to expression and knowledge,” says the document, which proclaims the defense of journalism against these threats, as a draft law to punish the dissemination of calls for social protests in the press.
Recall that in the anti-government social protests registered between December 2022 and March 2023 – which resulted in a total of almost 70 deaths – there were 270 acts of violence, such as beatings and shootings, against reporters who documented the repression of the marches.
As a form of hostility, the ANP also records the failed attempt to establish a protocol for journalistic coverage of protests, which gave the police the power to restrict the freedom of movement of reporters.
The head of the National Provincial Press Network, José Luis Manrique, director of the National Provincial Press Network of Peru (RNPP), warned that the powers given by Parliament to the government to legislate on citizen security issues leave open the possibility of the executive branch issuing regulations for criminalization the press, which is officially denied.
For Manrique, the threats point to the so-called alternative press, which is in the crosshairs “because through our journalistic work we spread, demonstrate and denounce the authorities’ abuses during the protests,” and its reporters are the ones who have suffered the most attacks .
“The police are systematically attacking us and illegally demanding that we present our journalism college card to cover protests,” even though membership is not mandatory in Peru.
Popular Press and Alternative Media Coordinator Betty Izaguirre accused Dina Boluarte’s government of dictatorial behavior by violating the right of these reporters to cover events in Peru from a different perspective than that of most journalistic outlets.
“There is a hegemonic power that has prevailed and it is the power of the media that directs people’s opinions where they want,” the leader said, concealing and distorting reality.
jha/mrs