Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05GUATEMALA294
2005-02-07 14:08:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Guatemala
Cable title:  

EXTRA, EXTRA! LETTER FROM GUATEMALA: THE BEST

Tags:  PGOV KDEM KCOR KPAO EAID ELAB SENV ETRD GT 
pdf how-to read a cable
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 GUATEMALA 000294 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPARTMENT OF STATE FOR WHAW/CEN, WHA/PDA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM KCOR KPAO EAID ELAB SENV ETRD GT
SUBJECT: EXTRA, EXTRA! LETTER FROM GUATEMALA: THE BEST
NEWS MONEY CAN BUY

REF: GUATEMALA 0163

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 GUATEMALA 000294

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPARTMENT OF STATE FOR WHAW/CEN, WHA/PDA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM KCOR KPAO EAID ELAB SENV ETRD GT
SUBJECT: EXTRA, EXTRA! LETTER FROM GUATEMALA: THE BEST
NEWS MONEY CAN BUY

REF: GUATEMALA 0163


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: PITY THE POOR REPORTERS IN
GUATEMALA. WHIPPED INTO A FRENZY OF HATRED AGAINST THE
PREVIOUS PORTILLO GOVERNMENT, THEY NOW HAVE HAD A YEAR
TO ADJUST TO PRESIDENT BERGER'S CLEANER
ADMINISTRATION. WITH NO OBVIOUS GOVERNMENTAL ENEMY,
EDITORIALISTS HAVE STRUGGLED TO STAY ON AN ADVERSARIAL
FOOTING. AND AT THE LOWEST END OF THE JOURNALISM
SPECTRUM, THINGS ARE AS BAD AS EVER. WAGES ARE LOW,
NEWSROOM RIVALRIES AFFECT ASSIGNMENTS, AND LACK OF
PROFESSIONALISM FILLS PAPERS WITH EMBARRASSING ERRORS,
OMISSIONS, AND POOR WRITING. ALTHOUGH THE THREAT OF
GOVERNMENT VIOLENCE AGAINST REPORTERS HAS DISAPPEARED,
GETTING CAUGHT UP IN A RURAL LYNCHING IS STILL A REAL
THREAT. THIS CABLE, AN EXTRA EDITION AND FIFTH IN A
SERIES OF "LETTERS FROM GUATEMALA," GIVES A SNAPSHOT
OF THE CURRENT REPORTING CLIMATE. END SUMMARY.

-------------- --------------
THOU DOEST PROTEST TOO MUCH?
-------------- --------------


2. (SBU) PRENSA LIBRE, AL DIA, AND A NUMBER OF RADIO
STATIONS CARRIED STORIES FEB. 2 ABOUT A HAM-HANDED
ATTEMPT BY THE TRUCKERS' UNION TO BRIBE A GROUP OF
JOURNALISTS AT A PRESS CONFERENCE IT CALLED TO
ANNOUNCE -- OF ALL THINGS -- CONTRACT IRREGULARITIES.
THE UNION OFFICIALS PASSED AROUND "FAFA" (ENVELOPES
WITH CASH). THE ARTICLES AND SOUND BITES CARRIED LOTS
OF INDIGNANT QUOTES FROM PEOPLE LIKE PRENSA LIBRE
PUBLISHER AND CURRENT PRESIDENT OF THE INTER-AMERICAN
PRESS ASSOCIATION GONZALO MARROQUIN AS WELL AS RANK
AND FILE REPORTERS ABOUT THE SHAMEFULNESS OF TRYING TO
BUY OFF REPORTERS. PERHAPS THE STORY ILLUSTRATES HOW
FAR GUATEMALAN MEDIA HAVE COME. BUT THEN AGAIN, THE
SPACE AND VOLUME DEVOTED TO THE STORY SUGGESTS THAT
COUPLING BRIBERY AND JOURNALISM IN GUATEMALA IS NOT
UNCOMMON.


3. (SBU) THE WORD "FAFA," A CORRUPTION OF THE ENGLISH
"HALF AND HALF" REFERS TO THE PRACTICE OF SPLITTING
ANY TIPS, COMMISSIONS, OR BRIBES BETWEEN A REPORTER
AND HIS EDITOR. A BRIBABLE REPORTER IS A "FAFERO," AND

ONE CAN BE "FAFEADO." THE HAPLESS TRUCKERS UNION WAS
ONLY FOLLOWING A TIME HONORED PRACTICE -- AND ONE THAT
CERTAINLY STILL GOES ON. INDEED, WE OFTEN HEAR OF THE
SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FIREMEN AND
PHOTOGRAPHERS. BOMBEROS, GENERALLY TRUSTED FAR MORE
THAN POLICE, WILL NONETHELESS PUT IN CALLS TO
PHOTOGRAPHERS WHEN ARRIVING AT AN ACCIDENT OR CRIME
SCENE. THEY HAVE ALSO BEEN KNOWN (AGAIN FOR A FEE) TO
PULL BACK A SHEET ON A CADAVER SO A PHOTOGRAPHER CAN
GET AN ESPECIALLY GRUESOME SHOT. THEIR ALLEGED
WILLINGNESS TO REARRANGE CRIME SCENES FOR JOURNALISTIC
ENDS HAS LED TO GRUMBLING AMONG POLICE INVESTIGATOR
UNITS.


4. (SBU) FORMER PRESIDENT ALVARO ARZU OFFICIALLY ENDED
THE PRACTICE OF GOG ABOVE-BOARD SUBSIDIES TO
JOURNALISTS AND PUBLISHED THE NAMES OF THOSE WHO HAD
ACCEPTED BRIBES. THIS WHOLESALE ACTION BY THE
GOVERNMENT FORCED PRIVATE ENTERPRISE AND MEDIA OUTLETS
TO OVERHAUL THEIR PRACTICES AT LEAST FOR A TIME.
MARROQUIN'S CAREFULLY WORDED STATEMENT, WHICH CALLED
"THE ATTITUDE OF THE UNION LEADERS SHAMEFUL," WAS
NOTEWORTHY IN THAT IT DID NOT CONDEMN THE PRACTICE PER
SE, OR WARN JOURNALISTS AGAINST PARTICIPATING. ONE
MIGHT HAVE EXPECTED MARROQUIN, SURELY IN HIS POSITION
AS PRESIDENT OF THE INTER-AMERICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION,
TO GRASP THE CHANCE TO USE THE BULLY PULPIT MORE
FORCEFULLY.

5.(SBU) THE FAFA CAN ALSO BE USED TO KILL A STORY.
SHOULD THE SUBJECT OF A NEWS ITEM NOT WANT TO SEE HIS
NAME IN PRINT, A WELL-PLACED FAFA IS A SIMPLE WAY TO
END THE MATTER. NOT ALL REPORTERS ACCEPT FAFA, AS THE
REPORTING OF THE TRUCKERS' UNION PRESS CONFERENCE
E
CONFIRMS. BUT NOT ALL EDITORS ARE SO UNEQUIVOCAL,
GIVEN LOW NEWSROOM BUDGETS, LOW REPORTER SALARIES AND
HIGH TURNOVER. THERE IS PLENTY OF SPACE BETWEEN THE
BEAT REPORTER, MANAGING EDITOR, COPY EDITOR AND
HEADLINE WRITER. A REPORTER MAY NEVER KNOW FOR SURE IF
HIS LEDE WAS CHANGED BY AN EDITOR BECAUSE IT READ
BETTER, FIT BETTER, OR BECAUSE SOMEONE GOT TO ONE OF
HIS EDITORS. FAFAS CAN ALSO INFLUENCE HEADLINES,
PLACEMENT, AND SIZE OF THE STORY. THE PRACTICE
BEDEVILS THE WORK OF PUBLIC RELATIONS PEOPLE, WHO CAN
NEVER TELL IF THEIR PRESS RELEASE DIDN'T RUN BECAUSE
IT WASN'T NEWSWORTHY, BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T PAY ENOUGH,
OR BECAUSE THEY PAID THE WRONG PERSON.


6. (SBU) ONE MIGHT LOOK TO A PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION
TO PUT AN END TO SUCH PRACTICES. HOWEVER, GUATEMALA IS
FREE OF THE "COLEGIO" ACCREDITATION SYSTEM FOR
JOURNALISTS USED ELSEWHERE. WHILE U.S. JOURNALISTS
MIGHT SEE THE ABSENCE OF A COLEGIO AS A GOOD THING,
ITS ABSENCE HERE IS FELT. ON THE PLUS SIDE, THERE ARE
NO RESTRICTIONS ON ENTRY; ANYONE CAN BE A JOURNALIST.
THAT ALSO MEANS THERE ARE NO PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS,
DUES, FEES, FINES, OR SELF- POLICING. ONE WORKS FOR AN
EMPLOYER AND MEETS THE STANDARDS OF THAT NEWS
OPERATION, PERIOD. IN GUATEMALA, REPORTERS TEND TO BE
YOUNG, POORLY EDUCATED, POORLY PAID, AND AT THE MERCY
OF PUBLISHERS WITH THEIR OWN AGENDAS. THE ONLY
PROFESSIONAL MEDIA ORGANIZATIONS, THE ASSOCIATION OF
JOURNALISTS OF GUATEMALA, THE CHAMBER OF JOURNALISM IN
GUATEMALA AND THE RADIO TRANSMITTERS CHAMBER, ARE
FILLED WITH RETIREES AND DISDAINED BY YOUNGER
JOURNALISTS.

--------------
CAFTA? WHAT CAFTA?
--------------


7. (SBU) MEANWHILE, WE WERE SURPRISED THAT LEADING
BUSINESS DAILY SIGLO 21 DIDN'T COVER THE CAFTA
LEGISLATION ROLLOUT FEB. 1 BECAUSE OF "REPORTER
ERROR." THEY SIMPLY MISSED THE STORY, DESPITE THE
HIGH VISIBILITY OF THE DELIVERY OF THE LEGISLATION.
THIS WOULD BE THE EQUIVALENT OF HAVING THE WALL STREET
JOURNAL MISS AN OPEN MARKET MEETING OF THE FED. EVEN
MORE TELLING, THEIR CONGRESSIONAL BEAT REPORTER FAILED
TO PHONE IN OR FILE. EVIDENTLY, COMMUNICATION AMONG
REPORTERS; BETWEEN REPORTERS AND EDITORS; AND AMONG
THE NEWSPAPER MANAGEMENT IS NOT GOOD.


8. (SBU) THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME WE'VE NOTICED
PROBLEMS AT SIGLO. WE RECENTLY SENT A YOUNG ECONOMICS
SECTION REPORTER ON A FOREIGN PRESS CENTER TOUR TO
INTERVIEW U.S. INDUSTRIAL LEADERS ABOUT CAFTA. HER
EDITOR RAN ONLY ONE OF THE STORIES SHE FILED,
PREFERRING THE WORK OF ANOTHER HOME-BASED REPORTER.
OUR INQUIRIES ABOUT WHY A PAPER WITH NO U.S. BUREAU
WOULD SQUANDER U.S. DATELINE REPORTING BY ONE OF ITS
OWN STAFF LED TO COMPLICATED ANSWERS ABOUT
PROFESSIONAL RIVALRIES, LACK OF COMMUNICATION, AND
GENERAL MISMANAGEMENT, A FACT BORNE OUT BY THE CAFTA
ROLLOUT DEBACLE.


9. (SBU) CROSS-TOWN RIVAL PRENSA LIBRE DID NO BETTER
ON CAFTA. A STORY ABOUT THE ONGOING CONTROVERSY OVER
DATA PROTECTION LEGISLATION AND GENERIC DRUGS IN LATE
DECEMBER CARRIED THE ERRONEOUS INFORMATION THAT THE
USG WOULD WITHHOLD ANTI-NARCOTICS FUNDING AND BLOCK AN
IMF STANDBY AGREEMENT IF THE LEGISLATION STOOD. PAS
QUICKLY CALLED THE REPORTER TO POINT OUT THIS ERROR.
MEANWHILE, BOTH THE EDITORIAL WRITER AND A LEFT-
LEANING COLUMNIST DECIDED TO MAKE THOSE "FACTS" THE
CENTERPIECE OF THEIR WORK ON THE FOLLOWING DAY'S
OPINION PAGES. NO MATTER HOW OFTEN WE HAVE SPOKEN TO
THE VARIOUS REPORTERS AND EDITORS, WE'VE NEVER SEEN A
CORRECTION, AND THESE ERRONEOUS "FACTS" KEEP SNEAKING
INTO THE REPORTAGE.

--------------
REPORTER SAFETY
--------------


10. (SBU) WE CLOSELY MONITOR REPORTERS' FREEDOM OF
MOVEMENT AND ARE ALERT TO THE SLIGHTEST HINT OF
GOVERNMENT INTIMIDATION OR OTHER DANGERS TO REPORTERS
ON THE JOB. IRONICALLY, THE ONLY RECENT DANGER SPRUNG
FROM AN ONGOING CONTROVERSY OVER THE GOVERNMENT'S
AFFIRMATIVE POLICY TOWARD MINING, IN WHICH AN AMERICAN
REPORTER AND LONGTIME RESIDENT OF GUATEMALA HAD A
FRIGHTENING EPISODE.


11. (SBU) THE GLAMIS GOLD MINING COMPANY BEGAN THE
OVERLAND TRANSPORTATION OF A HUGE 17-TON STEEL
CYLINDER, WHICH BECAME A SYMBOL FOR THE CONTROVERSY IN
EARLY JANUARY IN A TOWN NEAR SOLOLA. THE CYLINDER'S
PROGRESS TOWARD ITS DESTINATION IN SAN MARCOS WAS
HALTED BY A LOW CLEARANCE PEDESTRIAN OVERPASS IN LAS
TRAMPAS, CONSTRUCTED AND PAID FOR BY VILLAGERS. THE
CYLINDER, STRANDED FOR SEVERAL WEEKS ON A TRAILER
WHOSE TIRES HAD BEEN FLATTENED, BECAME A MAGNET FOR
OPPOSITION TO THE MINING IN GENERAL.


12. (SBU) AMCIT REPORTER CARLISLE JOHNSON, HOST OF THE
DAILY ENGLISH LANGUAGE RADIO SHOW "GOOD MORNING
GUATEMALA," DECIDED TO COVER THE SITUATION ON JAN. 7.
JOHNSON MADE HIS WAY THROUGH TWO GROUPS OF RIOT-CLAD
PNC TO LARGE NUMBERS OF INDIGENOUS PROTESTERS. JOHNSON
IDENTIFIED HIMSELF AS A REPORTER TO THE PNC COMMANDER,
PHONED EMISORAS UNIDAS RADIO STATION (WHICH CARRIES
HIS DAILY SHOW),PUT THE NEWSROOM IN DIRECT CONTACT
WITH THE POLICE CHIEF AND DECIDED TO LEAVE.


13. (SBU) AT THAT POINT HE WAS SURROUNDED BY A MOB OF
INDIGENOUS PROTESTERS, LED BY THE MAYOR OF SOLOLA, WHO
BEGAN CALLING FOR THE POLICE TO LEAVE. JOHNSON
INTERVIEWED THE MAYOR. WHILE WAITING FOR POLICE TO
CONTACT HEADQUARTERS FOR INSTRUCTIONS, JOHNSON DECIDED
TO MOVE AWAY FROM THE PROTESTERS TO INTERVIEW OTHER
MEMBERS OF THE GROUP, INCLUDING MEN CARRYING THE
BASTONS INDICATING THEY WERE MAYORS OF OTHER NEARBY
TOWNS. AFTER IT BECAME CLEAR THEY DID NOT SPEAK
SPANISH (WHICH JOHNSON SPEAKS FLUENTLY) HE DECIDED TO
CALL SOMEONE AND LET THEM KNOW WHERE HE WAS. HE SPOKE
IN ENGLISH.


14. (SBU) THE GROUP ASSUMED HE WAS SPEAKING ENGLISH AS
A WAY TO CALL SURREPTITIOUSLY FOR POLICE
REINFORCEMENTS AND BECAME INFURIATED. SOMEONE BEHIND
HIM SAID, "LET'S BURN THE GRINGO," AND SOMEONE ELSE
SAID, "WE HAVE THE GASOLINE." JOHNSON INSISTED THAT HE
BE TAKEN TO THE MAYOR OF SOLOLA. ESCORTED THERE, HE
TOLD HIM THAT HE WAS CHARGING HIM WITH HIS SAFETY,
THAT THE MAJOR KNEW HE WAS A LEGITIMATE JOURNALIST AND
THAT THE CROWD HAD THREATENED TO LYNCH HIM. HE ASKED
THE MAYOR WHICH HEADLINE HE WANTED: THAT HIS PEOPLE
LYNCHED A GRINGO OR WERE PEACEFULLY OPPOSED TO MINING.
THE MAJOR SPOKE TO THE CROWD IN KAQCHIKEL. THE MEN
PARTED, ESCORTED JOHNSON TO HIS VEHICLE AND ALLOWED
HIM TO LEAVE UNHARMED.


15. (SBU) CONCLUSION: BY ANY STANDARD, GUATEMALA
ENJOYS A FREE AND ROBUST PRESS WHICH FACES NO
DISCERNABLE GOVERNMENT HARASSMENT. NONETHELESS, THERE
ARE REAL IMPEDIMENTS TO ADVANCES WITHIN THE
PROFESSION, THE MOST SERIOUS OF WHICH ARE CORRUPTION
FROM WITHIN, MISMANAGEMENT, AND INCOMPETENCE. AND
PERHAPS THE BIGGEST THREAT OF ALL TO REPORTERS, BOTH
GUATEMALAN AND FOREIGN, REMAINS THAT OF IGNORANCE
PEOPLE IN RURAL AREAS AGITATED BY THOSE WHO PREY ON
THEIR FEAR OF FOREIGNERS, AS EVIDENCED BY JOHNSON'S
EXPERIENCE.

HAMILTON