Critics: Honduras suppressing broadcasters

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras, July 11 (UPI) -- Supporters of ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya say the new government is silencing broadcast outlets that do not adhere to its line.

Broadcaster Alejandro Villatoro told The Washington Post the military raided his Radio Globo. He said soldiers sabotaged his video surveillance cameras.

"They grabbed me and put me face-down and put six rifles on me, with a foot on my back holding me down," he said. "It was like I was a common criminal."

Zelaya was roused from sleep and put on a plane out of the country. Roberto Micheletti, the interim president, said Zelaya was planning to change the constitution to allow himself to remain in office indefinitely.

Carlos Lauria of the Committee to Protect Journalists in New York said broadcasters in Honduras have been avoiding coverage of other governments that have criticized the coup. They either avoid discussing Zelaya's ouster or describe it as a "constitutional substitution."

A Gallup poll released Thursday said 41 percent of Hondurans support Zelaya's removal, while 28 percent oppose it.