SIP calls for greater respect for journalistic work in RD

The IAPA Press (SIP) failed threats from a senior Dominican Republic service drug at the international airport of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, who warned journalists covering that topic would include their names in records official on drug trafficking.

El teniente Colonel Johan Liriano, responsible for the National Directorate of Control (DNCD) at Las Américas international airport in the Dominican capital, faulted yesterday a group of journalists accredited in that unit for obstructing official investigations to disseminate information on seizures of drugs before it is disclosed by the Agency. Liriano warned reporters that "I can put you easily in any records of drugs if they continue with this practice".

The President Commission of freedom of press and information of the SIP, Gustavo Mohme, director of the Peruvian newspaper La República, u000aHe criticized the action of intimidation by the military.

Added that "we are confident that the authorities can correct these attitudes, and know how to interpret the importance that free access to information and respect for journalism, leads to the freedom of all citizens to receive information".

Affected journalists demanded the intervention of the authorities. This morning the President of the DNCD, major general Rolando Rosado Mateo, announced the temporary suspension of Liriano and the appointment of a Commission to investigate the complaint.

La SIP is a non-profit dedicated to defending and promoting freedom of the press and of expression in the Americas. It is composed of more than 1,300 publications in the Western Hemisphere; and has headquarters in Miami, United States.

Suspension
by another party, yesterday the President of the DNCD, major general Rolando pink Mateo, reported that he is suspended for u000away to momentarily until that end investigations into the case, Lieutenant Colonel Johan Liriano, responsible for that agency at the international airport of the Americas, who threatened a group of journalists to include them in drug files.

Rosado Matthew pointed out that he is being performed an investigation to determine if indeed the official exceeded with journalists and invited any means of communication in addition to the Commission if you want to learn about the details.

"If some means to join this Committee, we gladly we invite you to determine and identify the way in which occurred the facts and responsibilities, because we leave it open, because what we want is that the results are as transparent as we have done", insisted the head of the DNCD. He warned that what determines the Commission will define the decision to be adopted.

"If the Board of" u000a"research determines that the Colonel is exceeded, we will take appropriate disciplinary measures, but if it was fulfilling its functions and not overreached, will remain in his post," explained Matthew Rosado.

However, the DNCD President said that he did not rule out that the incident happened but prefers to investigate, because neither ruled the version which gave the officer.

Gen. expressed that the version you gave Colonel Johan Liriano was told journalist at the airport "keep away from the area where was seized cassava until arrived Colonel Tapia and any information that they would like to go where Roberto LeBron, who is the official spokesman".

Preparation
Rosado Matthew considered Colonel Johan Liriano as an official "very ready" and "probably one of the best technicians of aviation which has the country right now in terms of aircraft and operation of" u000a"airport". In addition, explained that flow information in the development of cases of drug trafficking could hamper the investigation.

"We don't want to interfere with the duty of the media to keep the public informed, but understand the sensitivity of the issue of drug trafficking, insisted to journalists.

In charge of the DNCD airport Las Americas, Lieutenant Colonel Johan Liriano, threatened on Wednesday to include in the files of drug trafficking to journalists covering the media outlet in the terminal, if still publishing data on seizures of drugs rather than the Agency discloses them.

Warning
the official made the warning when reporters of the different media assigned to the source attended the deposit number three of the cargo terminal, where there was another case of confiscation of drug embedded in cassava.

"I am an arbitrary man and I can get them to" u000athe military leader expressed "you easily in any records of drugs if they continue with this practice", in a threatening tone.

officer, intimidating manner, was presented to reporters accompanied by numerous bodyguards and other military of the specialized airport security corps (CESA), requiring them to retire from the area.

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