Journalists head north in solidarity with beleaguered colleague (Update)

SANTO DOMINGO. – The Dominican Journalists Guild (CDP) will head a delegation of its members from the capital and other parts of the country which will travel to Nagua (northeast) today Thursday, to express their solidarity with radio reporter Johnny Alberto Salazar and attend the hearing where the six month prison sentence and one million peso fine will be read.

The measure was announced during a meeting of the CDP, whose leaders and members will accompany Salazar when judge Salma Bonilla hands down the sentence, despite reports that she has banned the press from recording video or taking photos in the hearing.

Several artists will reportedly take part in the activity, among them the revolutionary singer songwriter Ramon Leonardo and Jordano.

CDP president Aurelio Henríquez said Altagracia Salazar and Robert Vargas will head the group leaving from Santo Domingo at 12 noon, and will be joined in Nagua by other journalists from San Francisco de Macorís, Samaná, Las Terrenas, and other northern towns.

Salazar was convicted of slander in his hometown, Nagua.