IAPA welcomes opening of access to public records
(IAPA/IFEX) – The following is a 5 February 2002 IAPA press release: IAPA welcomes opening of access to public records in Panama MIAMI, Florida (February 5, 2002) – The Inter American Press Association (IAPA) today welcomed the recent enactment in Panama of a law providing free access to public records, a move that strengthens people’s […]
Journalist threatened with imprisonment
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to President Mireya Moscoso, RSF protested the detention order against Luis Gaitán Villareal, correspondent for the daily “El Siglo” and the National Television (Televisora Nacional, TVN) station, issued by Evelia Apricio de Esquivel, mayor of David (eastern Panama) for “defamation”. “The detention is based on the Judicial Code, which authorises […]
IPI expresses concern over criminal defamation charges pending against editorial cartoonist
(IPI/IFEX) – In a 5 November 2001 letter to Panamanian President Mireya Elisa Moscoso de Gruber, IPI expressed deep concern about the criminal defamation charges pending against Julio Briceño, an editorial cartoonist, and his newspaper, “La Prensa”. According to the information before IPI, Briceño, whose pen name is “Rac”, faces up to two years in […]
Three journalists face defamation charges filed by the president
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to President Mireya Moscoso, RSF protested the arrest of Ubaldo Davis, Herbert Rattry and Joel DÃaz, managers of the weekly “La Cáscara News”. The three journalists are being accused by the president and Winston Spadafora, minister of the interior and minister of justice, of “attacking their honour.” The organisation asked […]
Radio station taken off the air
(IFJ/IFEX) – The Radio Soberana Civilista station, owned by radio commentator Alonso Pinzon, was unexpectedly taken off the air on 8 September 2001, at 11:30 a.m. (local time). At the time, Pinzon and his colleagues were criticising the government and condemning the corruption and alleged attempts to commit fraud surrounding the 9 September Arnulfista Party […]
Cartoonist prohibited from leaving the country
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Supreme Court President Mirtza Fansechi de Aguilera, RSF protested Julio Enrique Briceño’s prohibition from leaving the country and his placement under judiciary control. Briceño, a cartoonist for the daily “La Prensa”, is charged with “crimes against honour” and could be sentenced to two years in prison. The organisation asked […]
Renewed threats against press freedom
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to President Mireya Moscoso, RSF expressed concern over two bills that are currently being debated. The first would oblige journalists to adopt a “code of ethics” which would again put into question journalists’ right to protect their sources. Were it to be adopted, this law would also stipulate that one […]
SIP concerned over move backward in the matter of press freedom
(IAPA/IFEX) – The following is a 7 June 2001 IAPA press release: SIP concerned over move backward in the matter of press freedom in Panama Miami (7 June 2001) – The Inter American Press Association (IAPA) expressed concern over draft legislation that would regulate journalistic work, which it considered to be a move backward in […]
Journalist sentenced to sixteen months in prison
(RSF/IFEX) – The following is a 30 May 2001 RSF press release: In a letter to President of the Second Superior Tribunal Wilfredo Sáenz, Reporters sans frontières (RSF, www.rsf.org) expressed its concern over the sentencing of Marcelino Rodríguez, former journalist for El Siglo, to sixteen months in prison for “slander and damages”, a sentence exchangeable […]
Journalist’s defamation trial scheduled to start
(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is a 15 May 2001 CPJ press release: PANAMA: Journalist’s defamation trial starts tomorrow New York, May 15, 2001 — Panamanian radio journalist, columnist, and university professor Miguel Antonio Bernal goes on trial tomorrow in a criminal defamation case filed in 1998 by then-National Police director José Luis Sosa. During a […]
Two journalists sentenced to eighteen months in prison for “crimes against honour”
(RSF/IFEX) – The following is a 16 March 2001 RSF press release: Two journalists sentenced to eighteen months in prison for “crimes against honour” In a letter to the president of the Second Superior Tribunal, Wilfredo Sáenz, Reporters sans frontières (RSF, www.rsf.fr) protested the sentencing of Rainer Tuñon, formerly a journalist for Crítica Libre, and […]
A year after repeal of gag laws, press freedom situation still cause for concern, says RSF
(RSF/IFEX) – The following is a 20 December 2000 RSF press release: A year after the repeal of laws that are used to gag the media, Reporters Without Borders says the state of press freedom is still giving cause for concern The organisation condemns government pressure and continued jail sentences for press offences On 20 […]
Journalists assaulted in Panama City
(IFJ/IFEX) – On Monday 2 October 2000, editor Mariella Patriau Hildebrandt and photojournalist Adriana Navarro de Vivanco, from the “Liberacion” daily in Lima, were assaulted by Jaime Alemán in Panama City, Panama, while they were trying to interview him. Alemán is one of the lawyers in Panama for Vladimiro Montesinos – a former advisor to […]
RSF asks “for a fair and equitable process” in case of four journalists accused of defamation
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Winston Spadafora Franco, minister of interior and justice, RSF protested “the irregularities which have marked the legal proceedings lodged against journalists Miren Gutiérrez, Monica Palm, Gustavo Gorriti and Rolando Rodríguez of ‘La Prensa’ daily”. The journalists are accused of defaming and insulting Attorney General José Antonio Sossa. The organisation […]
Police surround homes of three journalists charged with criminal defamation
(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is an 8 August 2000 CPJ press release: PANAMA: JOURNALISTS UNDER SEIGE Police Surround Homes Of Three Journalists Charged With Criminal Defamation Of Attorney General New York, August 8, 2000 – In the latest in a series of attacks on the press in Panama, police this morning surrounded the home of […]
Editor faces another jail sentence
(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is a 3 August 2000 CPJ press release: ANOTHER JAIL SENTENCE FOR SINGARES New York, August 3, 2000 — Carlos Singares, editor of the Panama City-based daily El Siglo, is currently serving an eight-day prison sentence for “disrespect” of the attorney general. Yesterday, an appeals court confirmed a 20-month prison sentence […]