Journalists accused of “crimes against honour”

(PFC/IFEX) – On 26 November 2002, Julio César Aizprúa and Rafael Pérez, journalists for the daily “La Prensa”, appeared before the Seventh Prosecutor’s Office of the First Circuit Court. They are accused of committing a “crime against [the] honour” of the Naves Supply company. In a report published in February, the journalists pointed to irregularities […]

(PFC/IFEX) – On 26 November 2002, Julio César Aizprúa and Rafael Pérez, journalists for the daily “La Prensa”, appeared before the Seventh Prosecutor’s Office of the First Circuit Court. They are accused of committing a “crime against [the] honour” of the Naves Supply company.

In a report published in February, the journalists pointed to irregularities in the handling of garbage received in Panama from abroad. The story alleged that large volumes of manure, animal urine, food waste and rotten fruits and vegetables are unloaded in Panama’s ports.

The Prosecutor’s Office urged the journalists to reveal their sources, but they refused, maintaining their professional right to keep sources confidential.

Aizprúa and Pérez join a long list of journalists who have battled the courts in Panama. Of 200 Panamanians journalists on duty, approximately 100 are facing legal action. Panama is the country in the Americas with the highest level of legal persecution against the press. Many of the complaints have been filed by government officials, in an attempt to prevent the media from exposing corruption cases in which they are implicated.

For further information on the case, see: http://portal-pfc.org/perseguidos/2002/109.html

For information on the state of the press in Panama, see: http://www.portal-pfc.org/panama

Recommended Action

Appeals To

Please copy appeals to the source if possible.