Sale of Private
Broadcaster Sparks Concerns In Nicaragua
By Carlos Lauría/Americas Senior Program
Coordinator
MANAGUA - The sale of private television
station Telenica Channel 8, one of
Nicaragua’s most popular broadcasters, has
sparked immediate controversy. Carlos
Briceño, left, who previously owned the
station, recently confirmed that he had sold
the station but said that a confidential
contract has forbid him from revealing the
name of the buyers or the figures of the
transaction.
Local news reports have alleged that the
buyers were family members of President
Daniel Ortega.
The Nicaraguan press has alleged that the
new owners are directly linked to Ortega and
the economic interests of the ruling
Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN)
party. While no administration official has
made public comments on the deal, pro-Ortega
television host Alberto Mora acknowledged on
Tuesday that he was authorized to speak on
behalf of the new proprietors but didn’t
give any details about the deal. His morning
show on TV Channel 4 is run by Ortega’s sons
and, according to some reports, owned by the
presidential family.
Local news reports have speculated that
Briceño received US$10 million for the deal.
Local reporters told CPJ they are concerned
about the implications of the sale for
freedom of expression, saying that programs
critical of the Ortega administration may be
forced off the air. Journalists and free
press advocates are particularly worried
about the future of Carlos Fernando
Chamorro, Nicaragua’s most influential
journalist and a harsh critic of Ortega.
According to Mora, Chamorro, who hosts the
television news programs “Esta Semana” (This
Week) and “Esta Noche” (This Night) on
Telenica, can continue with his shows on
Channel 8. “He can say what he wants,” said
Mora, according to a report published in the
Managua-based daily El Nuevo Diario. “We
will respect every word of his contract, and
if he wants to renew it, he will just have
to come by and sign it.”
On Wednesday, Chamorro said during his
broadcast that he and his team have long
respected freedom of expression and
democracy but that in doing so “we have been
insulted, harassed, censored, and persecuted
by President Ortega.” In 2008, Chamorro was
investigated for alleged money laundering.
After and international outcry, the criminal
inquiry was dropped a year ago.
Chamorro said that the Nicaraguan
government’s credibility crisis has led him
to believe that Mora’s words can not be
taken seriously. He also said that “we will
never legitimate a sham in this television
channel now controlled by Ortega.”
Nicaraguan journalists said that the alleged
purchase of Telenica fits perfectly on
Ortega’s strategy of restricting critical
coverage while minimizing the influence of
the private press as the president flirts
with a reelection bid. In October, the
Supreme Court overturned constitutional
prohibitions on consecutive presidential
re-election and service of more than two
terms, clearing the way for Ortega to run
again in 2011.
According to a recent CPJ special report,
Ortega, who has called the independent news
media enemies of the Nicaraguan people, has
moved aggressively to obstruct them and
minimize their influence. The government
uses the official media apparatus—Channel 4,
radio station Nueva Radio Ya, and news Web
site El 19—to conduct character attacks
against critics. These efforts are supported
by e-mail news services—called Nicaragua
Triunfa and Nicaragua, cómo vamos—and the
FSLN-owned Radio Sandino.
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