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Transcript/ScriptTV Press Freedom Ecuador Bomb
HEADLINE: Ecuador Investigating Letter Bomb Attacks on Journalists
TEASER:
PUBLISHED AT: (3/22/23 at 7:15 p.m.)
BYLINE: Nestor Aguilera
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Quito, Ecuador
VIDEOGRAPHER: Nestor
VIDEO EDITOR: Cristina Caicedo Smit
SCRIPT EDITORS: KEnochs; Reifenrath
VIDEO SOURCE (S): AFP, Zoom
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _x_ RADIO __
TRT: 2:23
VID APPROVED BY: Jepsen
TYPE:
EDITOR NOTES:))
((INTRO))
[[Ecuadorean authorities are investigating a series of letter bombs sent Monday
to TV and radio journalists around the country. Journalists say the bombs are
part of an intimidation campaign against a free press. For VOA News, Nestor
Aguilera has the story from Quito, narrated by Cristina Caicedo Smit.]]
((NARRATION))
At least five journalists received letters containing explosives Monday in
Ecuador. No one was seriously injured.
Interior Minister Juan Zapata said that the government had a suspect but would
not provide a name, citing the ongoing investigation.
(Juan Zapata, Ecuador Interior Minister)) ((IN SPANISH))
"It was sent by the same person, from a Servientrega in the city of Quinsaloma.
Three were sent to Guayaquil and two to Quito."
((NARRATION))
Zapata told reporters that each of the five packages contained a computer U-S-
B flash drive loaded with explosives and a “trigger.”
((NARRATION))
Media associations and journalist guilds strongly condemned the attacks. The
bombs were sent to media newsrooms.
((Hugo Pineda Pérez, National Union of Journalists of Ecuador)) ((IN
SPANISH)) ((courtesy ZOOM))
“This is not going to stop us; it is not going to silence us. On the contrary, it
shows that we are on the right path, a coherent path, giving our audience
truthful, accurate, timely, contrasted and certified information.”
((NARRATION))
The threats, which first were made through social media, were directed at
television stations such as Ecuavisa, Teleamazonas and TC Televisión.
Journalist Miguel Rivadeneira, with Radio Democracia in Quito, also received
an envelope in his place of work with a flash drive inside.
((Miguel Rivadeneira, Radio Democracia Journalist)) ((IN SPANISH)) ((courtesy
ZOOM))
"After the explosion occurred with Lenin Artied at Ecuavisa, I realized that I had
a similar envelope and a similar flash drive. I immediately handed it over to the
police on Monday, who examined it and determined that it had an explosive
inside the flash drive."
((NARRATION))
In response to the attacks targeting Ecuadorian media, government officials
said they would activate a protection mechanism to guarantee the safety of the
reporters.
((Juan Zapata, Ecuador Interior Minister)) ((IN SPANISH)) ((courtesy ZOOM))
“We are going to initiate the corresponding protocols, and we are going to
generate investigative aspects.”
((NARRATION))
Some journalists say that despite the government's pledge of protection, it is
partly responsible for the increase of violence in the country and against media.
((Miguel Rivadeneira, Radio Democracia Journalist)) ((IN SPANISH))
"Sadly, Ecuador is experiencing a moment of violence, much of it, political... to
which is added the action of organized crime that has been linked to what is
known as narco-politics.”
((NARRATION))
The website of the international non-profit organization Reporters Without
Borders says that journalists in Ecuador are working in a “climate of growing
danger, with the press being under constant attack, largely by government
agents.”
For Nestor Aguilera in Quito, Ecuador, Cristina Caicedo Smit, VOA News
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)
Quito, Ecuador
Embargo DateMarch 22, 2023 18:55 EDT
Byline
For VOA News, Nestor Aguilera has the story from Quito, narrated by Cristina Caicedo Smit.
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
