Legislation invoked to prevent Chilean media from reporting on judicial investigation of murdered senator

Chile
This article is more than 28 years old

Inter American Press Association

19 April 1996

1 minute read

On 16 April 1996, the minister of the Santiago Court of Appeal, judge Alfredo Pfeiffer, issued a prohibition order preventing coverage by the Chilean media of a judicial investigation of the 1991 murder of senator Jaime Guzman Errazuriz. Pfeiffer invoked Article 25 of Law 16.643, regarding the “abuse of publicity” (“Ley sobre Abusos de Publicidad”), […]

On 16 April 1996, the minister of the Santiago Court of Appeal,
judge Alfredo Pfeiffer, issued a prohibition order preventing
coverage by the Chilean media of a judicial investigation of the
1991 murder of senator Jaime Guzman Errazuriz. Pfeiffer invoked
Article 25 of Law 16.643, regarding the “abuse of publicity”
(“Ley sobre Abusos de Publicidad”), in order to execute the
prohibition order.

Recommended Action


Send appeals to authorities:
  • expressing concern over the order to prevent media coverage of
    the trial and urging that it be lifted
  • pointing out that the legislation invoked constitutes a serious
    threat to press freedom and freedom of expression
  • expressing deep concern that a judge has the power to invalidate
    freedoms which are universally recognized and which have been
    adopted by organisations as well as by international treaties to
    which Chile has acceded

    Appeals To



    
His Excellency Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle
    
President of the Republic
    
Palacio de La Moneda
    
Santiago, Chile
    
Fax: +562 690 4020
    



    
Alfredo Pfeiffer
    
Santiago Court of Appeal
    
Santiago, Chile
    
Fax: +562 696 5352

    Please copy appeals to the originator if possible.

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