Concern over government’s decision to limit access to information on its activities

(IFJ/IFEX) – On 25 October 2001, the three most important journalistic organisations in Costa Rica issued a public letter to President Miguel Angel Rodríguez Echevarría, expressing their concern over the government’s decision to limit access to information on its activities. The National Journalists’ Union (Sindicato Nacional de Periodistas), the Journalists’ College (Colegio de Periodistas) and […]

(IFJ/IFEX) – On 25 October 2001, the three most important journalistic organisations in Costa Rica issued a public letter to President Miguel Angel Rodríguez Echevarría, expressing their concern over the government’s decision to limit access to information on its activities.

The National Journalists’ Union (Sindicato Nacional de Periodistas), the Journalists’ College (Colegio de Periodistas) and the Foreign Press Association (Asociacion de Prensa Extranjera) stated in the letter that they are “worried by [the government’s] statements, which appeared in the press, that information agendas on its activities would be restricted to reporting on events and developments, without the journalists being given an opportunity to consult or ask questions on matters others than those put forth by governmental authorities.”

The three organisations asked for the lifting of restrictions on journalists’ work. They noted that access to information is everyone’s right and that to exercise their profession, journalists have the right to seek such information, and are, therefore, not asking for special perks or privileges.

Finally, the organisations requested a dialogue with the government so that the doubts and fears that led to this decision could be alleviated.

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