Journalism rejected former dictator Evo Morales' attitude toward the press

The main journalist organizations in the country expressed their rejection of former dictator Evo Morales's attitudes toward the press. The abrupt suspension of an interview with an international media outlet caused criticism from the press. Both the National Association of Journalists of Bolivia (ANPB) and the Association of International Press Correspondents (ACPI) spoke out. The associations issued a statement expressing their concern about the violation of freedom of expression and press. They warned that intolerance toward journalists has increased in the pre-election context. This could affect the public's right to be informed. Additionally, the journalist organizations have emphasized that freedom of the press is one of the essential pillars of any democracy. In this regard, they urge the authorities to ensure that situations restricting media coverage do not recur. The incident that triggered this reaction occurred in the town of Lauca Ñ, in the Tropic of Cochabamba. During an interview with Bloomberg, Morales reacted with annoyance when asked what he would do if he was not allowed to run as a candidate. He then ended the interview and demanded a journalist's phone to verify it was no longer recording. The ANPB and the ACPI reminded that freedom of the press is an essential right in democracy. They considered that any kind of harassment of journalists represents a serious setback and creates an atmosphere of censorship and fear among professionals in the field. The statement also cited a ruling by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACHR). The entity supports the essential role of journalism in an electoral context. Similarly, the Court emphasizes that public debate must be broad and without undue restrictions. This allows the public to access information about the candidates and their proposals. No official response has been issued from Morales's camp regarding the incident. However, close associates of the former president have downplayed the incident and claim that the interview took place in a context of distrust toward the international press.

Does Masismo detest freedom of expression?

The pressure on the media could lead to self-censorship and affect the public's rightThey demand that the work of communicators be respected