MIAMI, Florida (February 10, 2009)—The Inter American Press Association (IAPA) today described as excessive the epithets that senior officials of the Colombian government have used to describe journalists covering the release of four hostages by Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARC) guerrillas last week.
The IAPA censured official criticism of journalist Holman Morris, director of the television program “Contravía” (Wrong Way) and correspondent of Radio France International, that claimed he failed to present evidence linking the guerrillas to criminal activity, and also cited the Army's arrest of reporter Leonardo Acevedo and cameraman Camilo Raigozo and attempts to seize their equipment.
According to the government, Morris interviewed the hostages prior to their release and jeopardized an operation that also involved intermediaries. This led to criticism by President Alvao Uribe, Colombia's defense minister and a number of local and national press commentators. On several occasions authorities labeled Morris a “friend of terrorism”, an “apologist for violence” and “an accomplice of FARC”
IAPA President Enrique Santos Calderón declared that “Under no circumstances do Morris’s professional mistakes justify the government’s excessive characterizations,” adding that besides Morris’ journalistic conduct “a much needed debate among professionals and civil society on the role of the press in sensitive matters and situations” has been opened up.
