Inter American Press Association

The organisation characterised attempts by the government to control press freedom via a law regulating the manufacture and marketing of newsprint as “malicious”.

Five committees of the Chamber of Deputies at an extraordinary session yesterday approved a bill declaring the manufacture, commercialization and distribution of newsprint for newspapers to be of public interest.

The Coordinating Committee of Press Freedom Organizations warned of a progressive loss of fundamental rights in Ecuador, stressed the importance of the Inter-American system, and urged governments to combat physical violence against journalists and impunity.

Julio Chaparro and Jorge Torres were killed on April 24, 1991 in Segovia, where they had been sent by their newspaper, El Espectador of Bogotá, to cover the consequences of a massacre there two years earlier, in which 43 people died.

The Senate approved the repeal of Articles 1 and 31 of the Press Offenses Law, ending punishment by imprisonment for defamation, libel and slander.

IAPA has added its support to a request by the National Human Rights Commissioner that the government investigate complaints of threats so as to ensure the safety of journalists and guarantee freedom of the press.

IAPA expresses concern over a Communication Law being debated in Ecuador’s National Assembly and a proposed law which would regulate how community media operate in Venezuela.

The prominent historian, essayist and editor has been a strong defender of freedom of expression and participated in the conference that gave rise to the Declaration of Chapultepec.