Journalists in Suriname have launched a boycott against Vice President Ronnie Brunswijk. Brunswijk will not be seen or heard in their messages for at least two months. If he gets the floor at press conferences, the journalists will walk away. Whether the boycott is extended beyond those two months depends on his stance.
The vice president was discredited this week because his bodyguards assaulted a journalist. Jason Pinas of the newspaper De Ware Tijd took pictures of Brunswijk at the parliament building when he got into his car. According to Brunswijk, Pinas penetrated into the car. He was not pleased and a disagreement arose.
Pinas was brutally knocked to the ground by the bodyguards. They also took his phone and he had to go to the hospital for treatment. He has filed a report. Brunswijk says he is not responsible for the actions of his security officers.
Excessive Evil
The Surinamese government regrets the events, says the information service CDS. Pinas’ declaration will be thoroughly investigated by the Public Prosecution Service “with care and urgency”. The government has announced that it condemns any violation of fundamental freedoms, including freedom of the press.
Brunswijk already had a tense relationship with the press. He has reacted excessively angry at press conferences when journalists asked him critical questions, correspondent Nina Jurna said. earlier this week.
–
