VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHTG #0707/01 2181842
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 061842Z AUG 09
FM AMEMBASSY TEGUCIGALPA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0345
INFO RUMIAAA/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL IMMEDIATE
RUEAHND/CDRJTFB SOTO CANO HO IMMEDIATE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEIDN/DNI WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE

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. 
 
------------------------------- 
UNHCR SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR VISITS 
------------------------------- 
 
¶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. 
 
---------------------------- 
RADIO GLOBO ORDERED TO CLOSE 
---------------------------- 
 
¶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. 
 
------------------------ 
CHANNEL 36 CLOSURE NEXT? 
------------------------ 
 
¶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. 
 
---------------------- 
CHANNEL 8 UP FOR GRABS 
---------------------- 
 
¶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