At a press conference, Arévalo, flagbearer of the Semilla Movement party, told those in attendance that “their work not only informs and educates, but also serves as an important bulwark against injustice and misinformation.”
Together with Herrera, the current MP explained that this conversation is part of an ongoing dialogue that we have already had throughout the election campaign, including after the election.
“It is strategically important for the government of the new spring to guarantee freedom of the press and freedom of expression,” said the professional sociologist.
“We believe that the unrestricted exercise of journalism is the best path to accountability,” said Arévalo, who was described as a progressive.
They will be the ones who publish and comment on the successes of this new government, but also the ones who make us see the mistakes, he stressed.
The elected duo shared some actions they will take starting January 14, the scheduled date for the leadership transition.
They made it clear that they will reopen the press room in the Palace of the Republic to reporters covering the executive branch and that regular conferences with the media will resume.
The Guatemalan Association of Journalists is marking this date with a sit-in in front of the Ministry of State (MP) to demand respect for freedom of expression in the country.
The union’s president, Byron Barrera, last week called for the support of the entire society, inviting the main actors, especially the church, to ring the bells and calling on them to join the campaign.
He urged citizens to sound car horns and sound frying pans and pots at 6:00 p.m. local time in support of constitutional rights and guarantees.
“We believe this is one of the many measures we can contribute to,” Barrera said, referring to calls to stop the prosecution of the deputy.
On National Journalism Day, organizations placed banners in public places to commemorate the criminalization of journalism by prosecutors and other government agencies.
One of them points out: “Because journalists no longer have to go into exile because they are doing their job. They will not silence us for your right to know.”
Every year this country celebrates the birth of “La Gaceta de Guatemala”, the first newspaper in Central America, published on November 30, 1729.
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