Suppressing a Free Press in the Time of Corona

04/14/20 • 31 min

Many have praised Puerto Rico governor Wanda Vázquez for establishing a strict curfew early in the COVID-19 crisis, but at what costs? The last few days have been tumultuous for Vázquez and the island's government, as they try to manage the outbreak while being accused of suppressing a free press that can't cover coronavirus task force sessions on Puerto Rico's government-funded television. Latino Rebels Radio host Julio Ricardo Varela talks to Armando Valdés of Radio Isla's Sobre La Mesa about this and other events that are clouding the Vázquez administration's attempts to fight COVID-19.

Featured image: A scene from Saturday's coronavirus special on WIPR in Puerto Rico. (Via La Fortaleza)

Featured image: A scene from Saturday's coronavirus special on WIPR in Puerto Rico. (Via La Fortaleza)

Previous Episode

Farmworkers and COVID-19

On Thursday night, Latino Rebels Radio host Julio Ricardo Varela had a Facebook Live conversation with Mónica Ramírez, a former LR Radio co-host and the founder of Justice for Migrant Women. Julio and Mónica talked about how the COVID-19 crisis is impacting the country's farmworkers—essential workers still facing serious challenges. This podcast episode highlights part of that conversation.

Featured image: Field workers harvest onions in the Imperial Valley, El Centro, California (Carol M. Highsmith via Library of Congress/Public Domain)

Next Episode

The Head of Puerto Rico's Public Media Station Responds to Allegations of Press Suppression

On Thursday morning, Latino Rebels Radio host Julio Ricardo Varela interviewed Erick Delgado, president of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting of Puerto Rico. This week, Delgado and his network have been criticized for not allowing the island's press corps to attend the government's COVID-19 task force sessions.