Gonzáles is the director and host of the news program "60 Minute News" on television channel UTV Canal 19 in Pucallpa. The lawsuit against him was initiated after he denounced before the Oversight Committee of Congress supposed corruption in the local government, according to Gaceta Ucayalina.

The journalist, who said he would appeal, said the sentence was "political and judicial persecution," reported Diario Ímpetu.

In Peru, authorities regularly use laws -- especially those related to defamation and libel -- to silence critical journalists. However, recently the Peruvian Congress eliminated jail sentences for defamation.

See below a video from Enlace Nacional with a statement from the journalist.