(PERIODISTAS/IFEX) – On 17 October 2002, the Entre Ríos Senate’s Legislative Committee approved a bill that establishes mandatory licencing of journalists and several regulations that journalists would be bound to while practicing in Entre Ríos (a province in eastern Argentina). The bill, which must be examined by the provincial Senate, states that only those who […]
(PERIODISTAS/IFEX) – On 17 October 2002, the Entre Ríos Senate’s Legislative Committee approved a bill that establishes mandatory licencing of journalists and several regulations that journalists would be bound to while practicing in Entre Ríos (a province in eastern Argentina).
The bill, which must be examined by the provincial Senate, states that only those who register with a Media Professionals’ Guild (Colegio de Profesionales Universitarios de la Comunicacion Social) will benefit from constitutional guarantees such as the protection of sources and the conscience clause. Such a guild will be created under the same bill in order to “combat those who are illegally exercising the profession.”
The local Press Union (Sindicato de Prensa), which belongs to the Argentine Federation of Press Workers (Federacion Argentina de Trabajadores de Prensa, FATPREN), the Entre Ríos Broadcasting Association (Asociacion de Frecuencias Moduladas de Entre Ríos, AFMER) and the Entre Ríos Cable Television Association (Asociacion Entrerriana de TV por Cable) have rejected the bill and made a joint presentation to the provincial Senate to this effect.
PERIODISTAS called on Entre Ríos legislators to reject the bill, noting that “approving this type of law would mean following the same approach that has already been attempted unsuccessfully by those who have tried to impose restrictions on the fundamental right to freedom of expression.”
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the Senate:
– calling on them to reject the bill
Appeals To
Senate
Province of Entre Ríos
Tel: +54 343 421 8447 / 420 8221
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
