Annual Report 2008: Dominican Republic

Local organizations representing the media and journalists criticised the ambiguity of some articles in the law and warned about possible negative impacts on press freedom, the right to privacy, and professional secrecy.

IAPA expressed concern over several bills in the Dominican Republic that insist on the criminal nature of defamation, including in cyberspace, and overprotect leaders from criticism. All this has a chilling effect on press freedom and journalistic work.

A Dominican Republic court sentenced Matías Avelino Castro to 20 years in prison for his role in the 2011 murder of journalist José Agustín Silvestre.