(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has protested the six-month prison sentence against columnist Rodrigo Fierro of the Quito-based daily “El Comercio” on 19 September 2003. Fierro allegedly libelled a former president by accusing him of serving the oligarchy. “This sentence sets a dangerous precedent for press freedom in Ecuador by encouraging journalists to censor themselves,” the organisation […]
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has protested the six-month prison sentence against columnist Rodrigo Fierro of the Quito-based daily “El Comercio” on 19 September 2003. Fierro allegedly libelled a former president by accusing him of serving the oligarchy.
“This sentence sets a dangerous precedent for press freedom in Ecuador by encouraging journalists to censor themselves,” the organisation said, stressing that it strongly opposed the criminalisation of press offences.
In a letter to Supreme Court President Armando Bermeo, RSF Secretary-General Robert Ménard urged higher court judges to rule out a prison sentence if they uphold the guilty verdict when the case is heard on appeal.
The organisation pointed out that the United Nations special rapporteur on freedom of expression and opinion stated in January 2000 that the imposition of a prison sentence for the peaceful expression of opinion constitutes a “serious human rights violation.”
Fierro was sentenced as a result of a libel suit brought by former president León Febres-Cordero, now a member of parliament for the Social Christian Party (Partido Social Cristiano, PSC), over a 29 May column in which Fierro said the politician led a government that “served the plutocratic oligarchy that rules the country.” Fierro has appealed the sentence.
