witnesses of the truth Visual memory of political violence Cultural Center of the Pontifical Catholic University of Perú October 10 - 12, 2002

PRESS RELEASE Nº 138
MEDIA MEN TELL THEIR STORIES BEFORE TRUTH COMMISSION

A letter asking for an investigation of over 50 cases of murdered and disappeared media members during the years of violence in Peru was delivered this morning to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission by a delegation of the National Peruvian Association of Journalists (ANP) and the victims relatives.
Salomón Lerner, President of the Truth Commission, received a dossier from ANP Chairman Roberto Mejía documenting the Uchuraccay, Pedro Yauri, Jaime Ayala, and Hugo Bustíos cases, among others. “We are here to give you our support and to let you know that we are waiting to see the results of your work. We are aware you are not well understood now but the moment will come when history will record everything you did for Peru”, said Mejía after learning about the complexity of the work done by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Lerner committed to redouble the Commission’s investigation efforts about these cases some of which are already known to the Commission. “Some people have become role models, including the journalists who sacrificed their lives to tell the truth and that is of critical importance in times when the media in Peru undergo a severe crisis. They focus on the anecdotal and fail to address the true national issues, running the risk of becoming trivial,” he added.
During the brief meeting relatives of journalists Pedro Yauri, Jaime Ayala Sulca and Willy Reto also spoke. Oscar Retto Salda

September 30, 2002

Communications and Public Impact Office