Paraguay

(SPP/IFEX) – On 14 February 2002, the SPP condemned the threats received by two journalists from National Police officers. The incident occurred after the journalists witnessed the release of two members of a leftist political movement who were allegedly kidnapped by state security officers. The SPP also asked the Human Rights Attorney’s Office to provide […]

(SPP/IFEX) – The Treasury Inspector’s Office informed Víctor Bogado, president of the National Telecommunications Commission (Comision Nacional de Telecomunicaciones, CONATEL), that the scheduled public auction for the granting of broadcasting radio frequencies was illegal. Short and medium-range FM frequencies for community based, educational and locally-owned radio stations were to have been up for bidding. The […]

(SPP/IFEX) – The SPP has expressed its support for correspondents of the Ayolas-based radio station Radio San Roque González and journalists working for the newspapers “Ultima Hora”, “ABC”, “Noticias” and local television station Canal 13. Gabriel Alfonso, Williams Aquino, José del Puerto, Augusto Dos Santos, Andrés Arias, Edgar Vazquez and Cornelio Veron were subjected to […]

(SPP/IFEX) – In a 31 October 2001 press release, SPP condemned threats made by the new Lebanese Ambassador to Paraguay, Hicham Salim Hadam, and his bodyguards against journalist Adrían Cativelli, of the daily “Ultima Hora”. The diplomat’s intimidating threats against the journalist and the press in general and his bodyguards’ assault on Cativelli occurred during […]

(SPP/IFEX) – The following is a 16 October 2001 SPP press release: JOURNALIST’S ASSASSIN SENTENCED TO TWENTY-FIVE YEARS IN PRISON IN PARAGUAY On 16 October 2001, Milcíades Mayling was sentenced to twenty-five years in prison, the maximum sentence under the local criminal code. Mayling is believed to have assassinated community journalist Salvador Medina on 5 […]

(SPP/IFEX) – The chief justice of the Paraguayan Supreme Court, Raúl Sapena Brugada, announced that the court would reexamine the case against journalist Telmo Ibañez, correspondent for the daily “ABC Color” in Concepcion. On 21 September 2001, Ibañez was sentenced to a fine of 19 million guaranis (approx. US$4,200), for allegedly having attacked the honour […]

(SPP/IFEX) – The following is a 4 October 2001 SPP press release: SUPPORT FOR SPORTS JOURNALISTS The Paraguay Union of Journalists (Sindicato de Periodistas del Paraguay, SPP) would like to express its support for colleague Benicio Martínez, who was verbally assaulted by Sergio Markarián, trainer for the National team, and by the president of the […]

(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter to Minister of the Interior Julio Fango, RSF expressed concern over the threats received by Telmo Ibañez, a journalist for the daily “ABC Color”. The organisation asked for an in depth investigation into the threats in order to identify and punish those responsible. “It is the authorities’ responsibility to condemn […]

(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is a 27 September 2001 CPJ press release: PARAGUAY: Government repeals controversial information law New York, September 27, 2001-After a barrage of criticism from the local media and civil society, the Paraguayan government repealed a controversial new access to information law that restricted the ability of journalists to obtain public records. […]

(SPP/IFEX) – The following is a 24 September 2001 SPP press release: SPP condemns court ruling that undermines freedom of expression The Paraguay Union of Journalists (Sindicato de Periodistas del Paraguay, SPP) expressed deep concern over the sentencing of fellow journalist Telmo Ibáñez, correspondent for the daily ABC in Concepcion. The verdict was handed down […]

(SPP/IFEX) – The following is a 16 August 2001 SPP press release: This morning (16 August 2001) the Paraguayan Chamber of Deputies repealed Law 1.728 on Administrative Transparency, which imposed a series of obstacles to accessing public information. The legislative assembly’s plenary reached the momentous decision due to the favourable vote cast by 57 parliamentarians, […]

(SPP/IFEX) – The following is a 26 July 2001 SPP press release: PRESS WORKERS PROTEST AGAINST “GAG LAW” IN PARAGUAY This morning, press workers in Paraguay protested this morning in front of the National Congress against laws restricting freedom of expression and the right to information. They particularly focused on the recently established Law 1728 […]

(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is a 25 July 2001 CPJ press release: PARAGUAY: Parliament may repeal controversial access to information law New York, July 25, 2001 — After a firestorm of criticism from the Paraguayan press, Parliament has announced plans to repeal a controversial new access to information law that severely restricts the ability of […]

(IAPA/IFEX) – The following is a 19 July 2001 IAPA press release: IAPA protests legislation in Paraguay curtailing press freedom Calls for repeal of laws on “transparency in government” and “information of a private nature” that went into effect this week to the detriment of public’s right to know MIAMI, Florida (July 19, 2001) – […]

(SPP/IFEX) – The following is a 13 July 2001 SPP press release: SINDICATO DE PERIODISTAS DEL PARAGUAY CONDEMNS LAW THAT HINDERS FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND ACCESS TO INFORMATION The Paraguay Union of Journalists (Sindicato de Periodistas del Paraguay, SPP) condemns the law on Administrative Transparency and urges the executive branch to partially veto this law. […]

(CPJ/IFEX) – In a 4 June 2001 letter to President Luis González Macchi, CPJ expressed deep concern for the safety of Paraguayan journalist Séver del Puerto and his family, who have suffered an onslaught of death threats and harassment in recent weeks. The organisation called on His Excellency to ensure that these threats are fully […]