ETA suspended from list of press freedom predators

Reporters Without Borders has withdrawn the Basque separatist group ETA from the list of press freedom predators it issued on 3 May. This decision in no way means we are turning the page on ETA's many acts of violence against journalists and news media. Its use of murders, threats and blackmail has unquestionably made it an enemy of the press. By dropping ETA from the list, we are simply taking note of the respite of the past few months and the unprecedented undertakings it has given to renounce all violence. And we wanted to encourage these expressions of goodwill. We may have acted too quickly and imprudently, especially if one accepts the views of many of our colleagues in the Spanish media. Therefore, although this list is anyway meant to be constantly modified and updated, we have resolved to look at this question again in the coming days. We hope the future will prove the pessimists are wrong. Fernando Castillo, President of Reporters Without Borders International Robert Ménard, Secretary-General of Reporters Without Borders