Uruguay

If the proposed legislation is passed, the current law—which was developed with open, participatory and democratic dialogue—will be repealed. Serious and problematic modifications would be introduced with severe implications for the freedom of expression rights of journalists and media outlets in the country.

The bill under discussion, if passed, could seriously affect freedom of expression and result in a direct departure by the Uruguayan state from its international human rights commitments.

The IFEX-ALC network expresses its solidarity with its member in Uruguay, the Centro de Archivos y Acceso a la información Pública-CAinfo. Since its creation in 2008, CAinfo has played a leading role as a serious, rigorous and committed defender and promoter of freedom of expression and access to information in Uruguay.

IFEX-ALC rejects the content of a draft Law of Urgent Consideration brought forward by the current Uruguayan government. If approved with its current wording, it will imply serious setbacks for the country, with regard to human rights, and a violation of international conventions to which Uruguay adhered through parliamentary ratification.

A proposed law introducing the so-called “right to be forgotten” in Uruguay could have negative implications for the work of journalists and access to information online.

The news of the journalist’s death immediately shocked the press circles in Uruguay and in several countries of the region in which Paolillo was known for his leadership in the IAPA battles in favor of press freedom and freedom of expression.

The Inter American Press Association condemns criminal charges being brought by the government of Uruguay against social media account holders on the alleged grounds that “they arouse fear in the citizenry” in disseminating videos showing brawls in prisons.

The libel suit against editor Juan José Garrido and the newspaper Perú 21 seeks damages amounting to approximately US$230,000 payable to Félix Moreno Caballero, president of the Callao Regional Government.

The adoption of the Law of Audiovisual Communication Services promotes democratisation of the media and the effective exercise of freedom of expression in Uruguay.

Submitted to parliament in May 2013 and approved by the chamber of deputies the following December, the law is finally going before the senate after a long break for elections and after a great of deal of criticism by media groups.

Described last year as exemplary by UN special rapporteur for freedom of expression Frank La Rue, Uruguay’s Broadcasting Communication Services Law is expected to bring a great deal of progress in media pluralism – including a fairer distribution of broadcast frequencies.

Uruguay is the second-highest ranking Latin American country on Reporters Without Borders’ 2013 World Press Freedom Index. José Peralta, the current Scotiabank / CJFE Journalism Fellow at Massey College in Toronto discusses the characteristics that make Uruguay a unique place to work as a journalist.

Reporters Without Borders welcomes the Chamber of Deputies’ approval of the proposed Broadcasting Communication Services Law on 10 December and reiterates its support for this law, which it regards as a broadcasting regulation model for the region.

A proposed new media law in Uruguay is being seen as a positive step, not only for strengthening the media in the country, but as a model for future legislation in the region.