(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is a 4 March 1999 CPJ press release: **For related cases on Panamanian journalists see IFEX alerts of 30 December and 30 January 1998, 16 October, 22 September and 7 August 1997 and others** In a letter sent to Panamanian President Ernesto Pérez Balladares today, CPJ condemned his government’s use of […]
(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is a 4 March 1999 CPJ press release:
**For related cases on Panamanian journalists see IFEX alerts of 30
December and 30 January 1998, 16 October, 22 September and 7 August 1997
and others**
In a letter sent to Panamanian President Ernesto Pérez Balladares today,
CPJ condemned his government’s use of gag laws to limit press freedom
and punish journalists. CPJ expressed alarm over the escalating
enforcement of the laws, which were enacted during the military
dictatorships of the 1970s and 1980s, to stifle debate prior to the 2
May presidential elections.
CPJ called on President Pérez Balladares to eliminate the gag laws,
which establish prison terms for defamation, permit prior censorship,
grant the government the right to regulate who may practice journalism,
and criminalize criticism of the president and other officials.
“The fact that such laws are on the books in Panama is of grave
concern,” wrote CPJ Executive Director Ann K. Cooper. “Even more
alarming is that a democratically elected head of state would use such
laws to stifle public debate.”
Among the findings outlined in the letter:
* At least eighty five journalists in Panama are currently being
prosecuted for criminal defamation, in many instances because of
articles criticizing President Pérez Balladares.
* Criminal defamation prosecutions have increased since the defeat of an
August 30 referendum on a constitution amendment to allow an incumbent
president to seek a second term.
* Existing laws still establish jail terms for journalists who “spread
false, exaggerated, or misleading news”; criticize the president or
other officials; or show “disrespect” for the government.
* Prior censorship is legally permitted, and the government has used
this power to levy fines against newspapers that have published
photographs of women in bathing suits and suspend journalists deemed
guilty of using vulgar language.
CPJ called on President Pérez Balladares to fulfill his pledge to repeal
Panama’s gag laws before the 2 May elections.
“In democratic countries, journalists should never face jail or even the
threat of jail for what they write,” noted Joel Simon, CPJ’s Americas
program coordinator.
CPJ’s work to end criminal defamation laws throughout the Americas is
supported by a grant from the Tinker Foundation.
The five-page letter is available in both English and Spanish on CPJ’s
website at http://www.cpj.org
