Journalist organizations in Puerto Rico demanded on Thursday that Governor Jenniffer González act to end practices in her administration that restrict press coverage and block access to public information. The Puerto Rico Journalists Association (Asppro), the Overseas Press Club (OPC) and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) denounced the closure of the press room at La Fortaleza and limits on reporters’ access to the governor’s mansion.
Reporters have been placed in a building outside the gates, known as the Palacio Rojo, with no view of who enters or leaves. They also cited the governor’s late arrivals to press conferences and slow responses to information requests to press spokespeople. OPC president Wilma Maldonado Arrigoitía said the administration streamed on social media a fake press conference led by Public Affairs Secretary Jean Peña Payano, simulating the presence of reporters.
Asppro president Nydia Bauzá said the October 29 "En récord" briefing was moved earlier, with the change announced late Wednesday night, and colleagues who arrived later were not allowed through. The groups met González on October 9; she committed to resolve some demands immediately, but no changes followed. They asked for adequate workspace, access without press conferences, a published ID protocol, an end to police and dog searches of reporters’ equipment, punctuality, timely answers, no arbitrary question limits, release of the governor’s agenda, and an end to Peña Payano’s attacks on journalists. El Nuevo Día awaits a statement from La Fortaleza.