Santo Domingo.– The United States Government on Friday revealed that the recently shuttered publications Clave and Clave Digital were provided economic support since they opened in 2004, and expressed its regret for what it considers a setback to freedom of the press.

But despite noting its history of stimulating media freedom, in a statement issued today the US Embassy in Santo Domingo also acknowledges “phantom” programs to support the press worldwide.

“This support of the media is carried out through a wide spectrum of programs and initiatives aimed at the community, including training for press professionals, interchange of journalists, international book donations, exhibitors, reform of the media law, law on access to information and the vigilance of freedom of he press by means of the Report on Human Rights published annually as the United States Congress stipulates,” said the statement emailed to DT.

The revelation comes one year after the convictions in the cases of fraudulent collapse of three major banks which sent the Dominican Republic economy into a tailspin in 2003, and one year later Clave Digital was the outlet that led in reporting the events and subsequent criminal proceedings against the presidents of the collapsed banks Baninter, Bancredito and Mercantil.

The US Embassy had clearly its position on the bank frauds with constant statements, the declarations of its senior diplomats, and its acknowledged economic support of the civic group Participacion Ciudadana (Citizen Participation), locally the most vocal in calling for convictions of the indicted executives, whos dmbezzled the Dominican taxpayers out of at least US$3.0 billion.

It adds that Washington’s support for the media worldwide also seeks to support governance and because “it’s an important characteristic of American democracy.

Clave and Clave Digital Editor in chief Fausto Rosario had “hinted” and pressure from the National Police as the main reason for closing the outlets, which spurred president Leonel Fernandez to instruct Police chief Rafael Guzman to guarantee the journalist’s safety.

UPDATE: In a subsequent emailed statement from the US Embassy Press Section changes the term “phantom” for “spectrum.” The Press Section called DT o confirm that the correct word is spectrum.

”THE FULL STATEMENT TRANSLATED BY DT:

The United States Embassy regrets the simultaneous closing of the weekly Clave and Clave Digital on August 5.

The United States Government has a long history of support of the mass media worldwide through direct and indirect assistance.

This support of the media is carried out through a wide range of phantom programs and initiatives aimed at the community, including training for press professionals, interchange of journalists, international book donations, exhibitors, reform of the media law, law on access to information and the vigilance of freedom of he press by means of the Report on Human Rights published annually as the United States Congress stipulates.

The support of the media is an important characteristic of American democracy and a support of governance. It is based on the belief that a democracy can be judged by the strength of its media.

The beginnings of Clave Digital is an example of the direct assistance originating from the United States Government, because in 2004 that outlet received initial funds on the part of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) which contributed to its opening.

From their beginnings to their last publication on August 5, these twin publications have contributed significantly to the multiple media of the Dominican Republic.

The Government of the United States remains firm in its commitment to a free press, the fourth pillar of democracy, and to the wide field of appropriate perspectives that characterizes a dynamic news medium.