Haiti
Support Group concerned about proposals that threaten to
limit media freedom
The London-based solidarity organisation, the Haiti
Support Group (HSG), is very concerned about the 20 July
communique 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 communique 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 the comments of the head of the Haitian
Journalists' Association, Joseph Guyler C. Delva, who
denounced the communique saying it represents a serious
threat to media freedom in Haiti and is a clear
demonstration of the current regime's willingness to
presecute 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
London
- 8 August 2005
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