9621 Agnes Crossing, Lake Suzanneview, New Mexico Island 84604-9295.
The Association of Journalists of El Salvador (APES) condemned this Thursday criminalization of the journalistic profession President of El Salvador Naib Bukelethe actions were considered “another step towards
The Association of Journalists of El Salvador (APES) condemned this Thursday criminalization of the journalistic profession President of El Salvador Naib Bukelethe actions were considered “another step towards strengthening the police and dictatorial state”.
“In a deliberate and irresponsible act, the president singles out three journalists: Brian Avelar, Hector Silva Avalos and our APES director Sergio Arauzobtaining confidential information suggesting that this may be a crime,” the agency said in a statement, which concerns investigations involving the Bukele government and the official Nuevas Ideas party.
For APES, “such an accusation against journalists is another step towards the consolidation of a police and dictatorial state, which, before exposure of corruptionuses all resources at its disposal to prosecute any employee or public official who is suspected of disseminating information that discloses the work of the mechanism of robbery of the state treasury who operates with total impunity in this government.”
Thus, the association pointed out that “the president’s statement works likea silent threat to an essential element of press freedomas well as sources of information: “The criminalization of public officials and employees on suspicion of having spoken to journalists brings us closer to systems totalitarian governments like Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua, countries where dissent is punishable by jail.”
Photo: Reuters file
APES reminded the president and officials that the press tends to “personal privacy” of his sourcesTherefore, a democratic government has an obligation to respect this right, which is protected both nationally and internationally.
On the other hand, journalists condemned “dismantling” the transparency system and the abolition of government spending controls, denouncing that the country is “experiencing unprecedented opacity” which thus “protects the corruption of those close to the incumbent president” and that, in addition, “prosecutes the corruption of those who become a potential threat to opacity and impunity” of the Administration.
In this sense, they stressed the need for the existence of procedures and institutions that allow the state is responsibleat the same time, they expressed concern that the handling of confidential information is limited to the hands of the president.
In light of this statement, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) expressed concern about accusations against journalists “that undermine the protection of sources, recognized in international treaties on freedom of expression”.
Photo: Reuters file
“The criminalization of journalism is a threat to democracy,” RSF added in a statement on its profile on the X social network, formerly known as Twitter.
Bukele released a statement on Wednesday announcing the “progress of the investigation” into former government national security adviser Alejandro Muishodt, who the president said would act as “double agent” of former President Mauricio Funes.
“As part of these operations, both leaked secret documents and cheated on journalists Sergio Arau on several occasionsz (from digital newspaper Lighthouse), Brian Avelar and Hector Silva Avalos, as well as a foreign government and several citizens of other countries, ”Bukele said at the time.
Director Lighthouse, Carlos Dada reacted to the president’s publication by emphasizing that media politics “is neither confirm nor deny that a certain person served as a source for our journalists. This is the only way to protect those who trust us.”
(Europe Press)
Source: Aristegui Noticias
As an experienced journalist and author, Mary has been reporting on the latest news and trends for over 5 years. With a passion for uncovering the stories behind the headlines, Mary has earned a reputation as a trusted voice in the world of journalism. Her writing style is insightful, engaging and thought-provoking, as she takes a deep dive into the most pressing issues of our time.
