In praise of … Radio La Voz de Bagua

[ChangoLoa]

Last June, in northern Peru, there were violent struggles between indigenous protesters opposing commercial development in the Amazon and government security forces. Dozens of people were killed near the town of Bagua. Alberto Pizango, an indigenous leader, fled the country. The western media paid attention, briefly. And Radio La Voz de Bagua was caught in the middle, reporting the truth to its listeners in Bagua before being shut down by the Peruvian government because of its outspokenness.

The community station was founded in 2007 by a journalist, Carlos Flores Borja, to campaign for environmental protection and human rights. It took a stand against the sort of political corruption that bedevils Peru's development. During the protests, it broadcast live, warning listeners of action by the security forces and keeping families in touch with each other. Days later, the government forced it off the air. "The government took advantage of the moment to silence a voice critical of its policies," says Mr Borja, who points out that the closure is part of a wider move against the free media in many parts of South America – Venezuela, for instance, has also shut opposition stations.

Last month a Peruvian court threw out trumped up charges of inciting violence. Last night, at the Index on Censorship Freedom of Expression Awards, the station won a Guardian-sponsored award for its journalism. Peru is a democracy, but its media is not free. Radio La Voz must be allowed back on the air.


http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/mar/26/radio-la-voz-de-bagua

[ChangoLoa]

1. On "edit"...

Before possible deviations or attacks, I just saw there was a comment about Venezuela shutting down opposition stations. I didn't post this text because of that. It's a different topic.