President Fernando Lugo's government has purchased ads on 51 community radio stations, none of which are allowed to air commercials and only three of which are operating with the proper legal permits, ABC Color reports. The stations deny those charges.
According to the paper, the central government seeks to use the stations for self-promotion and to counter the independent press. Government payments of more than $400 a month have become an important source of income for these stations, the paper ads.
However, representatives of community radio stations said certain sectors of society "want to silence the voice of the people in the process of changes." They said they were victims of an attack "against press freedom and democracy."
The communications minister acknowledged that the government has supported several broadcasters that are in the process of getting permits but said such advertising amounts to less than $100 a month per station, La Nación adds.
» Stations protest support for illegal broadcasters (Spanish) (Última Hora)
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