Briceño Slams Media Coverage, Points to Budna’s Record

Prime Minister John Briceño is on the offensive. He is rejecting criticism aimed at his administration in the wake of Joseph Budna’s abduction. Appearing on Open Your Eyes this morning, he accused the media of sensationalizing the case and argued that Budna’s criminal past is central to the story, using the word ‘monster’ to describe him. The comments raise serious questions: how do we balance a person’s history with the facts of a current case, and what impact does this messaging have on public confidence and the investigation?

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“When that would have happened with Mr.Budna, when you live a life of crime then that would happen. I am not suggesting in anyway that I would want anything bad to happen to Mr. Budna or any citizen of this country. But, we know his record. We know what he has been doing for a very long time. This is where I think the media being sensational on this story forget this guy is a mionster. I did not see any of you crying out for the sixteen-year-old that was killed, was killed when he was in bedroom of Mr. Budna or when Mister Budna raped boys. I did not see any of you crying out for justice for these people, yet I see you crying out for justice for Mr. Budna. So, you can’t hold me responsible for anything happening in Orange Walk Central. I don’t know what criminal activities are going on in Orange Walk Central.”