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Journalists “Escorted Out” of Honduras
Submitted by mjt on Mon, 2009/07/13 - 11:46.
Though I don’t see a story on CNN, BBC, or anywhere else outside two countries, Venezuelan VTV and Teslesur journalists were detained (arrested?), interviewed (interrogated?), then escorted (kicked out?) of Honduras. The story is covered in Honduran media, in some form or another, for the last three days (this is the alleged corporate controlled pro-coup Honduran media). It is widely reported by sources offering accounts based on Venezuelan sources, but hard to find in mainstream or non-mainstream media elsewhere. Some editorials via major outlets in Honduras have condemned the actions (Canal 36’s Eduardo Lopez has done so in print and on live broadcast), which, if reported accurately, were idiotic, politically, and also illegal. A two-prong investigation has allegedly been initiated by Honduran sources. A simple search on “Telesur” on the main paper, La Tribuna, yields basic information (http://www.latribuna.hn/web2.0/). There is an announcement here, but it is accompanied by an “old” photo not connected to the event: http://www.embavenez-us.org/news.php?nid=5111, and they still haven't updated the story. Though it would likely change shortly, most google searches as of this morning still result in the same few paragraphs used verbatim on a dozen websites. See also here as of minutes ago the story was updated: http://www.aporrea.org/medios/n138512.html & http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/news/4621
A New Freedom?
Masked
These masks are more concealing than most, but it gives you some idea of the practice. In many cases the actual arrest is not made using the mask (hard to work undercover in a ski mask) and the mask is later used in the presence of the public, court, media, etc. Superior officers are rarely ever with a mask as their positions are classified differently and they are expected to be responsible for subordinates and speak on camera on behalf of the office, when needed. In most, but not all, cases the officer is in full uniform with badge or i.d. number visible (these two guys are just in DGIC pullover). There wouldn't be any legitimate reason for the journalists to be interviewed by someone in a mask, if that is what happened (Migracion isn't part of this process, and police may have circumvented the rules by claiming the Telesur rental car had been reported stolen - though if the rental company is owned by someone anti-Zelaya, they may have been more than willing to help). See here: http://www.heraldohn.com/content/view/full/36659
Face Masks
The "hooded" comment isn't very precise. I am not sure either account is completely correct (I will assume it is for the sake of argument, though it is rare for ranking people to do so). In Honduras major police actions are handled by uniformed teams, and that uniform includes "face masks". Not sure what else to call them, they are like what people where in winter when skiing or snowmobiling, etc. It covers the scalp and neck with an open circle for eyes, nose, mouth. This is a legacy of police murders (police officers being murdered, not doing the murdering); it was initiated when police were photographed then had hits/bounties put on them and their families. Their identities are concealed -in theory- for their own safety. This is especially true when major arrests are made, when powerful people are delivered to court/sentencing, when prisons are investigated, and when major drug cases are in play (images of masked police are routinely in the Honduran press and on local TV; for the most part this is not viewed negatively, but that is because people know how many police are murdered, usually for arresting people who deserve to be arrested). Unless practices have changed, individual officers are identified by number, too, so a witness / suspect could have that while not knowing or being able to describe the officer. As far as I know this is limited -legally- to police, not the military. There would not have been any reason authorizing protective gear with journalists in the context of this story (masked police have given interviews to journalists in Honduras but, again, this is due to undercover work and other reasons not found here per Telesur, etc.). This may be one added reason why local journalists have protested the events and the Human Rights Commissioner is supposed to be launching an independent investigation into the whole matter. Much like Zelaya's handling of the media, this recent event could easily backfire on the current government. Telesur's coverage was about all there was from the outside, but on a cost-benefit analysis it was not so insightful or damning that this idiotic banishment was the wise response.