NAHJ expresses support for the rights and freedom of journalists in Puerto Rico without fear of reprisal from government officials

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

August 17, 2021

NAHJ expresses support for the rights and freedom of journalists in Puerto Rico without fear of reprisal from government officials

Washington, D.C. – The National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) joins the Association of Journalists of Puerto Rico (Asppro) in condemning the written attacks made by Dr. José E. Becerra López, the chief epidemiologist with the Department of Health (DS) of Puerto Rico against a journalist, as well as offensive comments he made against the press when he criticized an article published by El Nuevo Día. Dr. Becerra López also challenged the data published in the article, which was written by journalist David Cordero Mercado. 

The attacks were published on Becerra López’s personal blog, where he described the journalist as a “complicit” and “unscrupulous” reporter, and challenged him to violate source confidentiality by revealing the names of his sources. The article at the center of the attacks outlined how DS and Becerra López halted COVID testing and surveillance at nursing homes even though three data reports indicated that the number of residents testing positive for COVID-19 were increasing during that period. 

It is unclear whether Becerra López has resigned his role as chief epidemiologist. Health Secretary Carlos Mellado acknowledged that he had not received a letter of resignation as of Friday, but said he understood that Becerra López had resigned on the basis of the content of a post on his blog. In an interview with El Nuevo Día, Becerra López, who was appointed by Mellado on May 19, apologized to the journalists who were offended by the comments he posted on his blog.

The responsibility of an independent press is to serve the public and hold those in power accountable. Puerto Ricans are all too familiar with the consequences of a government that lacks transparency, particularly after a natural disaster, and residents expect accurate data to make informed decisions during a pandemic. Attacking a journalist by calling him a terrorist for simply doing his job is unacceptable. NAHJ implores the current administration and Governor Pedro Pierluisi to affirm the rights and freedom of journalists in Puerto Rico to do their jobs without being attacked by government officials.

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