2003News

Listin taken over by government

At the close of this edition around noontime, reports are that the Central Bank implemented its announced takeover of the Listin Diario and RNN, among other media owned by the Baninter group. The newspaper has for years been regarded as the leading newspaper because it receives the most advertising and has the largest paid circulation. It recently, though, lost its claim to the largest circulation newspaper with the appearance of the Diario Libre, a free newspaper. RNN is the technologically most advanced Dominican television station. 
Rumors had circulated yesterday that the newspaper would not be printed, but today’s edition came out defiant, bringing out the big guns in the shape of the local branch of the Inter-American Press Association (IAPA) which called on President Hip?lito Mej?a to refrain from invoking measures that will compromise the freedom of the press. The fear is that the government would take over, or indeed close, the newspaper, which is owned by the intervened Baninter group. 
CDN reports that sociologist Frank Marino Hernandez, refused to accept the post of editor of the Listin under the Central Bank intervention because of the way the takeover was carried out by representatives of the District Attorney?s office.