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The College of Journalists of Chile, through its Metropolitan Council, issued a forceful public statement expressing its deep concern regarding recent events related to the Communications Department of the Municipality of Maipú. The Public Ministry provided background information within the framework of the formalization of former mayor Cathy Barriga, revealing questionable practices that have shocked the journalistic union.
The statement indicates that during the hearing, compromising audios were presented in which journalist Camila Cornejo, then head of communications, gave instructions to defame several councilors through false accounts on social networks. These actions were described as a serious attack on journalistic ethics and an affront to the dignity of the journalistic profession.
«As a union, we have been fighting for years against misinformation, media montages and fake news in all its forms. “This type of practice goes against our principles, moves away from the commitment to the truth and deeply damages our democratic system,” said the Metropolitan Council of the College of Journalists.
Furthermore, the statement highlights the surprising revelation of the falsification of the journalist’s title by Andrea Monsalve, who admitted to the Prosecutor that she had committed this crime with the aim of being hired for communication functions and receiving remuneration as a professional without possessing the proper qualification. Monsalve, however, revealed that she served as caregiver for the former mayor’s son.
The Metropolitan Council announced that it will collect all the information and make it available to the Regional Ethics and Disciplinary Court (TRED) to begin the corresponding investigative process. Likewise, as a Professional Order, they will review whether the illegal exercise of the profession and the falsification of public documents is configured, undertaking the necessary legal actions.
“We will not let go of this mockery against our profession that the former mayor of Maipú and her closest collaborators dared to lie to public opinion,” stated the Metropolitan Council, making clear its commitment to the truth and the defense of the integrity of the journalistic profession.
