Press Advisory
March 24, 2006
Puerto Rican Journalists Hold Press Conference to Denounce Attacks Against the Press in Puerto Rico by FBI Agents
Media Contacts:
Oscar J. Serrano, Puerto Rico Journalists Association, (787) 505-5429 (cell) /
Daniela Montalvo, NAHJ, (202) 662-7152
What: Journalists from Puerto Rico and journalism organizations on the island hold a press conference
to denounce attacks against the press by FBI agents.
When: Monday, March 27, 2006, 10 a.m.
Where: Murrow Room, National Press Club, located at 529 14th St. NW, 13th Floor in Washington, D.C.
Speakers:
Oscar J. Serrano, President, Puerto Rico Journalists Association, and reporter for Primera Hora newspaper in San Juan
Normando Valentín, Anchor, Televicentro, Channel 4, San Juan, one of the victims of the attack
The journalists will be representing the Puerto Rico Journalists Association, the Overseas Press Club of Puerto Rico, the Puerto Rico Photojournalists Association and the Center for the Freedom of the Press in Puerto Rico. The National Association of Hispanic Journalists, based in Washington, D.C., will be at the press conference.
Background:
Last month, the FBI conducted raids in Puerto Rico in an effort to thwart what it called an alleged “domestic terrorist attack” planned by an island pro-independence group. During the raid, FBI agents showered Puerto Rican journalists covering the operations with pepper spray, shoved them and beat them, in some cases, while they were on the ground. Reporters and media organizations have condemned the actions of the FBI as abusive and a press freedom violation.
Several journalists and media organizations taking part in the press conference will be testifying before a March 28 congressional briefing on Capitol Hill, hosted by Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.), on the alleged abuses by the FBI in Puerto Rico.
Five of the journalists affected filed complaints with the Puerto Rico Justice Department, which opened an investigation of the incident. A video of the alleged attacks by federal agents, which aired on a TV station in Puerto Rico, will be shown at the press conference and copies will be distributed.
The ACLU is offering legal assistance to the journalists and will have representatives at the congressional briefing. In addition to the journalists, others offering statements about the issue to the congresspersons include Puerto Rico Justice Secretary Roberto Sánchez Ramos, a representative of the Puerto Rico Governor Aníbal Acevedo Vilá, and Puerto Rico Bar Association President Julio Fontanet.
|
