Costa Rican Broadcaster Dismisses Journalists Over President's Private Phone Number Disclosure
Televisora de Costa Rica S.A. terminates employment of two journalists following legal complaints by President Rodrigo Chaves.
Televisora de Costa Rica S.A. announced the dismissal of journalists Álvaro Sánchez and Cristian Montero effective May 23, following a criminal complaint filed by President Rodrigo Chaves over the publication of his personal phone number.
The broadcaster confirmed the decision in a statement, emphasizing the seriousness of the matter.
The presidential office issued a press release stating that the publication of the phone number constitutes a violation of the right to privacy, as defined by the Agencia de Protección de Datos de los Habitantes (Prohab).
According to this document, Sánchez accessed the president's number from a judicial file related to an ongoing investigation by the Attorney General's Office, obtaining the information illegally.
In a written response, Álvaro Sánchez acknowledged posting the phone number as a personal mistake, asserting that Televisora de Costa Rica had no involvement in the incident.
He clarified that the phone number was derived from a publicly circulated document.
Sánchez stated, "In my personal Facebook page, I reproduced an image that is part of a document that had previously circulated widely, where the phone attributed to the president was included."
Sánchez further emphasized that the action was entirely his own and that the broadcaster did not endorse or have prior knowledge of the post.
He took full responsibility for his actions, stating, "It was a mistake, and I will personally assume the responsibilities that arise."
Televisora de Costa Rica reiterated that Sánchez posted the number from his personal Facebook account and that the organization does not monitor or control the content shared by its employees on personal social media.
The company affirmed that it holds no responsibility for the individual outputs of its journalists outside of work-related contexts.
In response to the incident, René Picado Cozza, president of Grupo Teletica, and Ignacio Santos, news director of Teletica Canal 7, requested a meeting with President Chaves to discuss the corporation's stance on the matter.
This request was announced by Santos during the evening broadcast of Telenoticias.
The broadcaster confirmed the decision in a statement, emphasizing the seriousness of the matter.
The presidential office issued a press release stating that the publication of the phone number constitutes a violation of the right to privacy, as defined by the Agencia de Protección de Datos de los Habitantes (Prohab).
According to this document, Sánchez accessed the president's number from a judicial file related to an ongoing investigation by the Attorney General's Office, obtaining the information illegally.
In a written response, Álvaro Sánchez acknowledged posting the phone number as a personal mistake, asserting that Televisora de Costa Rica had no involvement in the incident.
He clarified that the phone number was derived from a publicly circulated document.
Sánchez stated, "In my personal Facebook page, I reproduced an image that is part of a document that had previously circulated widely, where the phone attributed to the president was included."
Sánchez further emphasized that the action was entirely his own and that the broadcaster did not endorse or have prior knowledge of the post.
He took full responsibility for his actions, stating, "It was a mistake, and I will personally assume the responsibilities that arise."
Televisora de Costa Rica reiterated that Sánchez posted the number from his personal Facebook account and that the organization does not monitor or control the content shared by its employees on personal social media.
The company affirmed that it holds no responsibility for the individual outputs of its journalists outside of work-related contexts.
In response to the incident, René Picado Cozza, president of Grupo Teletica, and Ignacio Santos, news director of Teletica Canal 7, requested a meeting with President Chaves to discuss the corporation's stance on the matter.
This request was announced by Santos during the evening broadcast of Telenoticias.
