Ecuador: Media Station, Journalist accused of “media lynching”

New York, August 9, 2016 – The Ecuadoran communications regulator should rescind all measures against the broadcaster Teleamazonas and journalist Janet Hinostroza, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Regulators yesterday sanctioned the station and the journalist for “media lynching” in relation to investigative reports into the government’s purchase of medical supplies.

According to a copy of the decision, which CPJ has reviewed, the media regulator Supercom determined that Teleamazonas had engaged in the “media lynching” (“linchamiento mediático”) of Ecuador’s Public Contracting Service in at least eight separate occasions between January and July on the program “Breakfast 24 Hours” and “24 Hours,” with investigative reports alleging the service’s practices could lead to the distribution of substandard medicines. Supercom ordered Teleamazonas to air at least eight public apologies. Ecuador’s communications law defines “media lynching” as the repeated publication of material in order to damage someone’s reputation or credibility. The regulator found that Hinostroza, who was awarded CPJ’s International Press Freedom Award in 2013, distorted and failed to contextualize information, and gave her a warning. Read Article

FOR A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF ECUADOR’S CULTURE – READ THIS BOOK