Honduras: Voice of the people
When news broke that Honduran president Manuel Zelaya had been deposed in a coup, Radio Progreso - known as the "voice of the people" - knew it had to act.
Due to the media censorship, calls flooded in to the community radio station in El Progreso from listeners wanting to know what was happening as the crisis unfolded on June 28, 2009.
One local resident complained on air: "We have been unable to find out what is happening in Tegucigalpa on national TV. We have had to do so through the international media."
This was followed by a local mother describing shocking details about violence that protestors against the coup were suffering - reportedly leaving at least one person dead and many injured.
She told listeners: "The army beat my son because he was protesting against the military coup. We are really suffering and need help from international countries."
The right to truth
Alerted to what was happening on the airwaves, the military soon arrived at the doors of the station demanding it cease broadcasting immediately, and allegedly threatening violence if the order was disobeyed.
Large numbers of local people began to gather outside the radio station to show their support for Radio Progreso and to defend their right to hear the truth.
Reluctantly, the Jesuit-run station decided to close. But, after so many messages of support, Radio Progeso soon resumed its reporting of the political situation - despite continuing threats.
Fr Ismael Moreno, who helps run the station, says: "We are very grateful for the much needed support for and solidarity with Radio Progreso at this time.
"We are asking the de facto government to stop the repression of the Honduran people and not to deny people the right to hear the truth and defend their rights.
"The political situation is impacting on every area of the Honduran people’s lives. Because of the workers’ strike in protest of the military coup, the national education system has been paralysed.
"Children and young people will continue to miss out on their schooling until the current situation is resolved. We need to find a solution through political negotiations to reconstruct our country’s institutionality."
On the Sunday following the start of the crisis, local people came to Radio Progreso’s office to pray together for a solution - but so many came to show their support that Mass had to be celebrated outside.
Strengthened by such a show of solidarity both locally and globally, Radio Progreso has called for a negotiated solution as “without doubt the only viable path to follow if further bloodshed is to be avoided”.
Both the ousted president, Manuel Zelaya, and interim president Roberto Micheletti have agreed to mediated dialogue led by Costa Rican President Oscar Arias.
We hope this is a positive step in the reconstruction of democracy in Honduras - and that Radio Progreso can continue to truly be the "voice of the people".
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