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Media Freedoms Threatened in Haiti
Press release
Haiti Support Group concerned about proposals that
threaten to limit media freedom
London - 8 August 2005
The London-based solidarity organization, the Haiti
Support Group (HSG), is very concerned about the 20 July
communiqué issued by the interim government council of
ministers in which a number of ministries were
instructed to take "appropriate measures against
all media or journalists promoting a discourse of hatred
and interviewing bandits."
While on face value, any government has the right to
intervene to protect the lives of citizens and to ensure
the rule of law, there are already existing measures by
which alleged criminals can be detained and judged.
Alleged criminals should not be prejudged, nor should
the media and journalists be punished for doing their
job. The HSG is concerned that, in the current context
in Haiti, the communiqué could easily be used to
curtail freedom of speech, and to repress certain
political entities. The HSG fears that the instruction
will result in the censorship (or self-censorship) of
the output of a number of radio stations, and, in the
worst case scenario, put the lives of journalists at
further risk
The HSG notes that the head of the Haitian Journalists'
Association, Joseph Guyler C. Delva, has denounced the communiqué,
saying it represents a serious threat to media freedom
in Haiti, and is a clear demonstration of the current
regime's willingness to persecute media which do not
share its point of view.
The Haiti Support Group has worked in support of the
free exchange of ideas and information in Haiti for over
a decade, and is concerned that hard won freedoms are
being rapidly eroded.
www.haitisupport.gn.apc.org |
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