Journalists Prevented From Entering Andalgalá
16.02.12The Argentine Journalism Forum (FOPEA) reiterated its claim to the authorities of the Province of Catamarca to ensure full respect for freedom of expression in the provincial territory of Catamara.
The journalists want the authorities to help journalists in the facilitation of their work covering the conflict in regards to the situation in the locality Andalgalá which is marred by social protests against megaminería ventures.
Recently a squad of pro-mining protesters blocked the main entrance to the town of Andalgalá and did not allow the passage of journalists and human rights advocates who sought access to perform their professional duties. FOPEA was told what happened by Gabriel Levinas, a member of this forum and plazademayo.com site manager, who was prevented from entering.
Police received compliants to this, FOPEA contacted (during the Sunday rallies) political authorities of the province of Catamarca, who said they were aware of the situation in Andalgalá, but could not solve without prior judicial intervention.
As noted in a recent statement FOPEA described the deterioration of freedom of expression in Catamarca, the inhabitants of the towns involved in the conflict, and the other inhabitants of the province and across the country, are entitled to receive plural and truthful information regarding the issue of megaminería and proposals of environmental organizations. This history is what happened in February 2010 in Andalgalá, when during a clash between villagers protesting against the mining project of Agua Rica and security forces cracked down on protesters, several journalists were attacked and threatened.
FOPEA again requests the authorities of the province of Catamarca and national government to ensure social peace in the province and the freedom to demonstrate, to ensure the conditions will not further deteriorate the freedom of expression and destroy a fundamental base for the democratic system.
Argentine Journalism Forum
Monday February 13, 2012