Like the proverbial canary in a mine shaft, independent media are a reliable
sign of the health of a democratic government. In
deteriorating health of its media, democracy is in trouble. Two reports —
one from the Inter American Press Association and another from the Committee
to Protect Journalists — document the regrettable trend.
The Bush administration and Miami District Immigration and Naturalization
Service should pay special attention.
another sign that
economic.
Attacks on the media — and the failure of the government of President
Jean-Bertrand Aristide to stop the attacks or to punish the perpetrators —
are clear evidence of
political asylum in
economic deprivations. Many now leave in fear of their lives because of
their political activism, or as the reports show, for merely expressing
their views in the media.
attacks on journalists, though onerous, are one manifestation of the
deterioration. Last April, Radio
assassinated, and in December Radio Plus reporter Gerard Denoze was killed.
Also in December, gunmen attempted to kill Dominique’s widow, Michele
Montas, who had continued his work. Though Ms. Montas was physically unhurt,
one of her bodyguards was slain in the attack. The assaults have continued
unabated this month with separate assaults against two Radio Metropole
reporters.
Ms. Montas, who is in
suspended indefinitely in an effort to prevent attacks against other
reporters. Last week, six journalists fled the country. Four of them asked
for political asylum in the
the
The pattern of the attacks show that the incidents aren’t isolated and that
the Aristide government, whether deliberately or through ineptness, is
unable to stop them.
The judge handling the case of Mr. Dominique’s death is expected to release
a report on the government’s findings within a few weeks. The increased
number and severity of the attacks against journalists is proof of an
organized effort to silence the voice of
administration must change current
shouldn’t be slammed on Haitians.
