Official journalism in Matagalpa has gone from the disclosure of official information to the exaltation of the figure of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo.
This is the perception that some citizens and journalists consulted have about the work of press men and women in “the pearl of the north” on National Journalist’s Day, which was celebrated on March 1.
Alba Esther Sosa, a seller of perishable products in the surroundings of the Guanuca market, located north of Matagalpa; She said that official journalists only tell lies. “That there is work and peace and that the salary and other things have increased, and one here has to” bite her “to bring something to eat home,” she complained.
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He expressed that sales are becoming more difficult every day to reach half of what was previously achieved. «Ten years ago I sold enough to replenish myself by 80 percent, now it is very difficult to sell more than 3 thousand pesos. And the Sandinista journalists say: “merchants report an increase in sales. What increase? If less and less is sold, “argued the merchant.
From officialism to personal worship
A veteran journalist from Matagalpa shared for his part “that you cannot talk about journalism, not even state (official) if you start a story by saying: thanks to the commander and the compañera, the families of such a neighborhood have a new project… What is that? So are they gods? It is a cult of personality, not government management », he questioned.
In Matagalpa there are about 20 journalists who work full time for media outlets controlled by the Sandinista Front. Both in state and mayoral media, supporters such as Radio Insurrection and private media such as Stereo Yes, YesTv and Notimat.
This last medium, until last year, was critical of the government and even its owners went into exile, but now they work hand in hand with the Sandinista mayor’s office and the departmental house of the red and black party.
Meanwhile, in Costa Rica, the group of independent journalists from Nicaragua, PCIN, presented the results of a study called: “A profession in crisis.”
The Matagalpina journalist in exile, Martha Irene Sánchez, explained that the study shows us a sad reality: “today the journalistic practice is almost in danger of extinction,” she said. “Journalism is a profession, in force despite the violence and hostile scenarios, due to the number of journalists who have chosen to carry out work outside their profession to safeguard their lives, freedom and security,” she lamented.
terrible situation
According to the study, there are 66 percent of journalists who continue to carry out their work despite the high risk, which shows their commitment to the truth and that 34 percent do not work, some due to lack of employment and others due to fear .
For the veteran journalist, whose identity he asked us to keep for his personal protection, “this is an unfortunate scenario on National Journalist Day.”
“We are supposed to celebrate freedom and rather we lament censorship, self-censorship, fear, prison, exile, all for exercising a human right that in Nicaragua is a crime. Actually, that is a shame », he detailed.
By United Voices
