RWB: Revolution or a War of Communication Media

Jean-François Julliard

In a open letter published in Paris, the general secretary of Reporters Without Borders, Jean-François Julliard invited the Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa to choose between a “revolution or a war with the communication media.” Tensions continue to increase between Correa and the private media; the conflict is aggravated even more with the lawsuit against El Universo newspaper.

The letter added that the fine imposed to the journalists is exorbitant and that it is “paradigmatic” that the president guarantees the jobs of El Universo employees as long as he maintains the lawsuit.

Regarding the Communication Bill, the document said that this project “cannot be discussed and give results” without solving the equilibrium between the public media, the private media and the community media.

Meanwhile the Secretary of Communication, Fernando Alvarado replied with an open letter the report published by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the official questions the sources used to write the document. Alvarado also defends the legal validity of the radio and television broadcasts ordered by the regime by saying that the laws of the country protect them. (AV)