SANTO DOMINGO.- Reporters Without Borders, in its report released yesterday in Paris affirms that around 30 Dominican journalists were subjected to physical aggression in 2008, whereas 20 were the object of “frequently abusive” legal actions.

The organization defender of freedom of expression worldwide calls 2009 “sadly similar to the previous year” for Dominican journalists, “with attacks not seen since Joaquin Balaguer’s Police state in the 1970s”.

“The Dominican Republic is a popular tourist destination but remains under the yoke of persistent corruption, and its geographic position turns it into an important center for drug traffic. The media which gets too close these types of activities must do so with caution from fear of reprisal from the local officials or the police,” the organization said, adding that this would explain the lack of will in justice to end impunity.

Among the cases the world report cites is of the photojournalist Norman Garcia,  of Teleunión in Santiago, murdered August 7, 2008; Manuel Vega, of Channel 10- Playa Vision and radio 95.5 FM of Hato Mayor, threatened by drug traffickers; Margarita Cordero, of 7Dias Digital, Maria Isabel Soldevilla, of newspaper Listin Diario and Norma Sheppard, of Radio Mil, intimidated by assistants of the senator for San Pedro, Alejandro Williams.