Critical Ecuadoran journalist and his family threatened
| Publisher | Committee to Protect Journalists |
| Publication Date | 24 March 2009 |
| Cite as | Committee to Protect Journalists, Critical Ecuadoran journalist and his family threatened, 24 March 2009, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4a1d5d58c.html [accessed 2 November 2019] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
On March 13, 2009, Ecuadoran journalist Emilio Palacio told local reporters that he had received threats against himself and his family following a March 1 article criticizing President Rafael Correa's weekly radio address.
According to reports in the Ecuadoran press, Palacio, editor of the Guayaquil-based daily El Universo, said he has received multiple death threats via e-mail since late 2008. The journalist, who is a harsh critic of the Correa administration, said he had not made the threats public because he considered them a part of his job.
However, on March 13 Palacio said he received an e-mail message threatening him, his wife and his 4-year old son. According to an excerpt from the message published in the national newsmagazine Vistazo, the assailant made reference to Palacio's recent criticism of Correa's weekly radio address. Palacio told local reporters that he sent Correa a letter the same day telling him about the threats.
On March 19, Ecuadoran Minister of Interior Gustavo Jaklh said the government would provide Palacio and his family with protection, reported El Universo reported.
In May 2007, Correa demanded that Palacio leave the taping of his radio show after the journalist suggested that the president had shown intolerance toward criticism in the media.
March 24, 2009 3:35 PM ET
