In the wake of the takeover, List?n executive editor Miguel Franjul was replaced by 62-year old veteran journalist Ram?n Emilio Herasme Pe?a. At the time of his appointment, Herasme was public relations officer at the Customs Department. Years ago, Herasme was the editor of the defunct La Noticia afternoon newspaper. He began his career in Radio Mil Informando, in June 1964. The station at the time was one of the leading media in the Dominican Republic. He was senator for Bahoruco province from 1986 to 1990.
He told journalists that his post would be transitional until the newspaper is sold or returned to its original owners, as determined by the courts.
He promised to maintain an objective editorial line at the helm of the List?n. He described himself in today?s edition of Hoy as a member of the ruling Dominican Revolutionary Party, but says that during his run as political analyst for the now defunct El Siglo newspaper, he treated all sectors with impartiality.
Meanwhile, the ousted president of the List?n Diario, Ram?n B?ez Romano (father of Baninter president Ram?n B?ez Figueroa), described the intervention as illegal and will be making an appeal to the judicial authorities today, in an attempt to restore control of the paper to its former administration. His position is supported by the family of the late Rafael Herrera, the much respected, long-time editor of the List?n. The Inter-American Press Association has repeated its objections to the intervention, expressing concern about the state of journalistic freedom in the country, and calling for the swift resolution of the situation.
The editors of El Financiero, El Expreso and Ultima Hora, the other newspapers owned by the Baninter Group, have also resigned their posts. El Expreso (a free newspaper) and El Financiero (a new business and economic newspaper) will not be published today, according to a notice at the foot of List?n Diario’s front page.