Luis Céspedes Peña warns of rift between Dominican government and media unions

Luis Céspedes Peña, former vice president of the Dominican College of Journalists (CDP), has warned of a growing distance between the Dominican central government and various communication organizations. He cited a reduction in advertising support and a lack of responsiveness to requests from professional guilds as primary causes for this tension.

Céspedes Peña noted that major organizations, including the CDP, the National Union of Press Workers (SNTP), and the Journalism in Reflection Foundation (FUNPER), have seen their petitions go unanswered by authorities. He expressed particular concern regarding the economic stability of traditional media, warning that a sustained decline in advertising revenue could lead to the disappearance of other print newspapers, similar to the recent cessation of the printed edition of El Nacional.

Furthermore, he questioned whether President Luis Abinader receives communications from journalists and media professionals, suggesting that security protocols during presidential visits sometimes prevent direct contact between the leader and members of the press.