TFHO1: FREEDOM OF THE PRESS AND EXPRESSION

C O N F I D E N T I A L TEGUCIGALPA 000707

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/CEN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/03/2019
TAGS: PHUM PGOV SOCI DS SNAR HO
SUBJECT: TFHO1: FREEDOM OF THE PRESS AND EXPRESSION
POST-COUP UPDATE 2

REF: A. TEGUCIGALPA 687

B. TEGUCIGALPA 633

Classified By: Ambassador Hugo Llorens for reasons 1.4 (b and d).


1. (SBU) Summary: The freedoms of expression and of the press
in Honduras continue to be threatened as members of the de
facto government intimidate and attempt to close media
outlets, harass journalists, and seize the cameras of
photographers and filmmakers. On an unofficial visit the
UNHCR Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression Frank La
Rue told the Ambassador that he found conditions worse than
he had expected; he plans to speak out strongly against the
crack-down on the press and has urged the USG to do the same.
Post will continue to follow the developments and report on
claims of violations and potential closures of media for
political purposes. End Summary.

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UNHCR SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR VISITS
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2. (C) UNHCR Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression
Frank La Rue visited "unofficially" on his own accord August
2-4 from his native Guatemala to investigate the freedom of
expression concerns in Honduras post-coup. He shared his
thoughts and findings at a meeting with the Ambassador on
August 4. La Rue stated that Honduras is in far worse
condition than he had expected beforehand and confirmed a
general trend previously reported by the Embassy of increased
police aggression towards journalists, protesters and
bystanders alike; the targeting and destruction or seizure of
cameras; senseless violence and intimidation; and short
detentions where protesters are taken into custody,
intimidated through violence or threats of violence and then
released before charged with anything or entered into the
justice system as a means to avoid future judicial
retribution.


3. (C) La Rue stated that he planned to make a strong
statement in a communique this week based on his findings.
He urged the USG to escalate our criticism of the de facto
regime and the human rights situation. La Rue also stated
that while it is in human rights groups' nature to embellish
their findings, he believes Honduras is "boiling" and the
polarization of society is bound to have long-term effects.
He also reported his concern for the human rights groups
being overwhelmed with the amount of work they are doing
while trying to defend human rights under an unsympathetic de
facto government.

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RADIO GLOBO ORDERED TO CLOSE
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4. (SBU) According to the General Manager of Radio Globo
Alejandro Villatoro, the National Telecommunications
Commission (CONATEL) informed him August 4 that the
frequencies of Radio Globo, which reaches a national
audience, will be shut down. Pro-Zelaya Radio Globo has been
documenting human rights violations committed by the de facto
regime and has also served as a platform for Zelaya to reach
his followers in Honduras. Pro-Zelaya journalist Eduardo
Maldonado is its key contributor and has often been the
subject of the de facto regime's anti-press policies. La
Rue, who had been speaking on air on Radio Globo about
allegations of violations of freedom of the press on the
morning of August 4, confirmed the order to close in a
meeting later that day with Ambassador Llorens. According to
Embassy sources, Radio Globo has two choices: to shut itself
down or to take its case to court. Villatoro considers any
legal appeal a hapless cause given the perceived partiality
of the justice system against
pro-Zelaya entities.

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CHANNEL 36 CLOSURE NEXT?
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5. (C) La Rue shares the opinion of Channel 36 owner Esdras
Lopez that his pro-Zelaya television station will be closed
next (reftel). Lopez claims he has been warned that the case
against his station is being put together and it is only a

matter of time until he is served his papers as well.
Regardless, Lopez has maintained his anti-regime stance and
along with Radio Globo continues to be the only source of
pro-Zelaya information on Honduran television and radio.

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CHANNEL 8 UP FOR GRABS
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6. (U) The President of CONATEL, Miguel Rodas, stated that
the de facto regime would return Channel 8 to Elias Asfura's
enterprise Teleunsa, which is consistent with a pre-coup
Supreme Court ruling that had been ignored by the Zelaya
administration. Previously, Channel 8 had been appropriated
by President Manuel "Mel" Zelaya's administration for
government broadcasting and pro-Zelaya propaganda. Rodas
also indicated that Channel 12, whose ownership had been in
dispute between Asfura and the Rosenthal family, would be
awarded to Asfura's Eldi Corporation. (Note: Jaime
Rosenthal's El Tiempo newspaper has been the most critical of
the de facto regime. The Rosenthal family has been on of
President Zelaya,s staunchest supporters in the private
sector. End Note.)
LLORENS