From Reporters Without Borders, on the situation in Honduras:
President Manuel Zelaya’s ouster was followed by a curfew during which the broadcasts of several radio and TV stations were suspended…
[T]he National Telecommunications Commission (CONATEL) notified cable TV operators of a ban on broadcasting certain international TV stations such as Telesur, Cubavisión Internacional and CNN Español. The broadcasts of Radio Globo and several other stations were also either interrupted or shut down.In the provinces, around 25 soldiers stormed into the studios of Radio Progreso, a station affiliated to the Latin American Association of Radio Education, four hours after the coup and forced the staff to stop all work. In a statement, station manager Ismael Moreno said the intervention of local residents prevented more serious violence. Still in the military’s sights, Radio Progreso has not yet resumed broadcasting.
From a New York Times account today:
The government television station and a television station that supports the president were taken off the air. Television and radio stations broadcast no news. Only wealthy Hondurans with access to the Internet and cable television were able to follow the day’s events.
I believe both sides have the right to be heard. The peace rally is just that because they do not receive military opposing force and they are not arrested for their beliefs. When confronted with force people react. If the military confronted the coup supporters the way they confront the resentence I believe the outcome would be different. I think everyone should have the right to voice their opinion. I believe that the coup government wants the peace rally because it is in their favor therefore they allow them to proceed in a peaceful manner. So let’s not be too harsh when judging the resistance because they have the right to their opinion and when that is taken away from them they react. We all know that when we are pushed and shoved we push and shove back.
I pray for the safety of everyone. Peace be with you!
Posted by Maureen on Thu 9 Jul 2009 at 01:38 PM
The reason those channels were blacked out was because they were inciting violence and riots and not because they had a different view then the interim government or because only the rich had access to them. Those channels are only available on digital cable and in only the major cities. Honduras' most affordable cable company which is favored by lower income families - Mayavision - has continued to air Telesur, Globovision, and other radical TV and radio channels eventhough these channels are partly responsible for the riots, strikes and vandalism that have been happening here in the capital. Confirm your information with more than one source before writing an article.
Posted by Nina Del Sol on Thu 9 Jul 2009 at 06:56 PM