RSF welcomes withdrawal of proposal introducing jail terms for insulting the president
The proposed amendment to the criminal code would have made insulting the president or any other elected representative punishable by two to four years in prison.
Panamanian asylum for former Colombian intelligence chief an “insult to DASgate victims,” says RSF
María del Pilar Hurtado is one of three former DAS chiefs who face disciplinary sanctions in connection with the phone-tapping of journalists and human rights activists.
Defamation conviction draws outcry
Although President Ricardo Martinelli said he would pardon the journalists, CPJ said that lawmakers should repeal all criminal penalties for defamation.
Retired journalist freed after being held for 19 days
Carlos Núñez was arrested after being convicted in absentia as a result of a libel suit brought against him 10 years ago.
Government reportedly tries to expel Spanish journalist
Paco Gómez Nadal says the authorities are hounding not only him but also the country’s journalists in general.
Veteran journalist jailed on defamation charges
The charges against Carlos Núñez López stem from a 2005 story about environmental damage in the province of Bocas del Toro.
“La Prensa” convicted of libel, ordered to pay US$300,000 in damages
The newspaper published a story on a former public prosecutor who was dismissed over ethical issues.
IAPA concerned at bill that would “legalise” media self-regulation
A bill before the National Assembly seeks to establish a national agency to oversee self-regulation of news media outlets.
IAPA condemns conviction of journalist
(IAPA/IFEX) – Miami, April 29, 2009 – The Inter American Press Association (IAPA) today characterized the two-year prison sentence handed down to a Panamanian journalist for his 2001 exposure of corruption involving a Supreme Court justice in that country “judicial harassment”. Jean Marcel Chéry, currently the editor of the Panama City newspaper El Siglo, was […]
General Assembly 2008 Country Report: Panama
General Assembly 2008 Country Report: Panama
Judge orders seizure of weekly after story on alleged tax evasion
(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is an 8 September 2008 CPJ press release: PANAMA: Judge orders seizure of weekly after story on alleged tax evasion New York, September 8, 2008 – The Committee to Protect Journalists is concerned by the decision of a Panamanian civil court on Friday to order the seizure of assets belonging to […]
Columnist barred from leaving the country, ordered to stand trial on criminal defamation charges
(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is a 28 July 2008 CPJ press release: PANAMA: Columnist barred from leaving the country New York, July 28, 2008 – A Panamanian judge barred sports columnist Bienvenido Brown from leaving the country and ordered him to stand trial on criminal defamation charges filed in 2005. Eleventh Criminal Court Judge Josefina […]
Report to the Midyear Meeting 2008: Panama
Report to the Midyear Meeting 2008: Panama
Television cameraman and photographer killed while covering gang conflict
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ media release: IFJ Condemns Killing of Cameraman Covering Gang Conflict in Panama The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today condemned the killing of a Panamanian television cameraman and photographer who was stabbed while covering a gang fight in Panama City. Eliécer Santamaría died in the early morning hours […]
Freedom of the Press 2007: Panama
Freedom of the Press 2007: Panama
President signs into law penal code amendments that threaten press freedom
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF is deeply disappointed by Panamanian President Martín Torrijos’ decision, on 21 March 2007, to endorse two articles in the newly-amended criminal code that violate press freedom. “By approving these two articles, President Torrijos is restricting the freedom of action of journalists to the point of preventing them from fulfilling the role they […]