reprehensible Walter Hupiu was one of the 146 journalists attacked. The authorities were merciless with him because he refused to take a slanderous photograph. Photo: Antonio Melgarejo/The Republic
The intervention of the national and foreign press has been fundamental since the political and social crisis in the region began and was expressed in street demonstrations. Their records were able to capture the mobilizations and repressions of the order against the protesters and even against themselves.
According to the Association of Nations Journalists (ANP), from December 7, 2022 to February 9, there were 169 attacks against journalists. The Executive Director of the Peruvian Press Council (CPP), Rodrigo Salazar estimates that 60% of these come from the police.
In this context, the Government has published a security protocol on journalistic coverage of protests, which has received a series of criticism, because it places the police as the creator of the journalist’s work, such as the place of travel, except not. considering officials as potential predecessors.
They forgot your documents
In February, ABC’s correspondent in Spain, Paola Ugaz, was attacked by a police officer who punched her in the chest and pushed her against a wall, despite identifying herself as a journalist. She was following a peaceful walk from Plaza Dos de Mayo.
“When I reach Avenida Grau, the first sound of tear gas canisters and between 15 and 20 police officers appear with tear gas canisters. I see a group of policemen coming and, at that moment, I choose my press credentials, I raise my hand, and one of the policemen puts his fist in my chest and pushed me to the wall,” said Ugaz, who was rescued. then two women jump onto the path from the ditch in Avenida Grau to defend themselves, until their chests are bruised.
Regarding the mentioned protocol, Ugaz questions “in no case mentions the methods of attack on journalists and the importance of the police on the journalists’ coverage”.
For Ugaz, the existence of the protocol does not guarantee that the press covering the protests will not be attacked again.
Arrested in San Marcos
Paty Condori, a journalist from Iulia, was arrested on January 21 during a police intervention at the University of San Marcos, despite his clothes and journalistic credentials.
“I was with the citizens of Iulia, who came to protest. All the people ran away, hid in the shower in the bathroom. I hid under the mattress and I was filming. I stopped because the police came with cameras and I told them that I was a journalist, but they said that I was still arrested. A commoner told me put down my shirt and document. I said no,” Condori said.
Journalist Paul Ugaz was attacked by the PNP. in demonstrations. Photo: LR composition
She was detained at Dircote, where she was interrogated and forced to sign a “good deal” because, otherwise, the lawyers refused to enter. The condors who testified told the police that the protesters would not stop marching and that if they had continued, the protesters would have hung murals on themselves, where they would have published pictures of terrorist prisoners.
Condori also does not agree with the protocol in question, since it is a violation of the freedom of the press. “They tell us where we should be stationed during the protest and if we are not with the police, then they hit us and arrest us. The journalist will always wait for his situation to capture the images that this government does not want to be presented”, he confirmed.
the cops beat him
The case of photojournalist Walter Hupiu reports that the police are capable of atrocious attacks against a journalist who, risking his integrity, tries to slowly capture the arbitrary detention and beatings inflicted on protestor officers. His commitment to journalism led several officers to beat him and try to handcuff him.
On January 1st, Hupiu was covering a demonstration in San Martín Street, the same one that had been taken to Manco Capac Street, where he saw several policemen beating the bullies and using their shields to barricade the journalists.
“They detained a protester around the square, whom they brutally beat on the ground. The police personnel made a fence with their shields to prevent the media from graphing. I was waiting for a part between the shields, and I was insisting on this matter, until six officers suddenly attacked me from behind with a blow of a shield, and then endeavored to hold me down, while they struck me in the back; shoulders, kidneys, Hupiu recalled. Now on the ground, he sadly placed his coat over his chest to cover his sleeves.
“He pressed the documents hanging from my chest and then realized that they were from the press. I was free,” he said.
As for the protocol, he commented that it is an instrument that he seeks to submit to the press. “It is an acceptance of the neck and a threat to the work of the press.” It is intended that only the members and the external press are the ones who cover it and from the place assigned to them so that they do not see anything,” he opined.
