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The World Association of Newspapers and the World Editors Forum have called
on the governments of Mexico and Venezuela to better protect journalists
following the murders of a newspaper columnist and a radio commentator in
the two countries.
In a letter to Mexican President Vincente Fox, the Paris-based WAN and WEF
said they were outraged by the murder of Francisco Arratia Saldierna, whose
"Portavoz" column appeared in four newspapers. He was brutally tortured to
death and his body dumped outside the offices of the Red Cross on 31 August.
"We are concerned that the murder of Mr Arratia, who often wrote about
organised crime and political corruption, may have been related to his
professional work," said the letter. "We are also concerned that the climate
of impunity created by the authorities' failure to fully investigate and
prosecute pervious murders of journalists has significantly contributed to
the hostile environment facing the media in the country."
In a letter to President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, WAN and the WEF called
for a thorough investigation into the shooting death of Mauro Marcano, host
of a radio opinion show who had implicated several local businessmen in drug
trafficking.
"We respectfully call on you to ensure that the murder of Mr Marcano is
thoroughly investigated and that those responsible are swiftly brought to
justice," said the letter. "We urge you to do everything possible to create
an environment in which journalists are able to carry out their duties
without fear of violence."
The murders brings to 48 the number of journalists killed in 2004 (the full
list can be found at www.wan-press.org/rubrique512.html ).
To read the full letter to President Fox, consult
www.wan-press.org/article5400.html.
For the letter to President Chavez, go to
www.wan-press.org/article5406.html.
More WAN/WEF protests at www.wan-press.org/protests.php3.
The Paris-based WAN, the global organisation for the newspaper industry,
defends and promotes press freedom world-wide. It represents 18,000
newspapers; its membership includes 72 national newspaper associations,
individual newspaper executives in 102 countries, 13 news agencies and ten
regional and world-wide press groups.
The WEF is the organisation for editors within the World Association of
Newspapers (www.editorsweblog.org ).
Inquiries to: Larry Kilman, Director of Communications, WAN, 7 rue Geoffroy
St Hilaire, 75005 Paris France. Tel: +33 1 47 42 85 00. Fax: +33 1 47 42 49
48. Mobile: +33 6 10 28 97 36. E-mail: lkilman@wan.asso.fr.
---
Larry Kilman
Director of Communications
World Association of Newspapers
7 Rue Geoffroy St. Hilaire
75005 Paris France
Tel: +33 1 47 42 85 00
Fax: +33 1 47 42 49 48
E-mail: lkilman@wan.asso.fr
Visit our web site at www.wan-press.org