MIAMI, Florida (October 25, 2018)—The Inter American Press Association (IAPA) today expressed alarm and considered as act that seeks to instill terror the sending of explosive packages to television company CNN at its New York headquarters and American political personalities, among others.
The chairman of the IAPA's Committee on Freedom of the Press and Information, Roberto Rock, declared, "While it is unknown who might have sent the mail with explosive devices the toxic discourse of President Donald Trump does not help calm down the political differences and create an atmosphere of real political tolerance."
The mail delivered to the CNN headquarters in the Time Warner Center in Manhattan had as its addressee former Central Intelligence Agency head John Brennan, who often participates in the channel's programs as an expert on national security matters.
Similar packets were sent to former President Barack Obama, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former Attorney General Eric Holder and philanthropist George Soros, among other personalities critical of President Trump.
"We are concerned at this serous act of terrorism and we believe that if there is no lowering of the tone of hostility towards the media and critical politicians and the opposition there will increase the hostility to journalists and media," added Rock, editor of the Mexican news portal La Silla Rota.
Trump yesterday referred to the events as "despicable acts" and ordered an in-depth investigation to determine who has been responsible. During his intervention he took the opportunity to express that the media also have the responsibility of setting a civilized tone and halting the interminable hostility, constant negativity and news that frequently they disseminate.
The report on the performance of press freedom in the United States presented in the recently held IAPA General Assembly in Salta, Argentina, established that in the last two years there has been an alarming increase in physical attacks upon and threats to journalists.
The IAPA is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the defense and promotion of freedom of the press and of expression in the Americas. It is made up of more than 1,300 publications from throughout the Western Hemisphere and is based in Miami, Florida.
