(PERIODISTAS/IFEX) – The following is a 17 September 2002 PERIODISTAS press release: ATTACKS ON THE PRESS Freedom of expression in Argentina In the midst of the worst crisis in Argentina’s history, attacks on freedom of expression and intimidation of the press increased significantly in 2001. During that time, PERIODISTAS recorded 151 cases of violations of […]
(PERIODISTAS/IFEX) – The following is a 17 September 2002 PERIODISTAS press release:
ATTACKS ON THE PRESS
Freedom of expression in Argentina
In the midst of the worst crisis in Argentina’s history, attacks on freedom of expression and intimidation of the press increased significantly in 2001. During that time, PERIODISTAS recorded 151 cases of violations of citizens’ rights to be informed and freely express themselves. This represents a 15 percent increase in the number of incidents recorded since the previous year.
This information forms part of the conclusions outlined in the book ATTACKS ON THE PRESS, PERIODISTAS’ annual report on freedom of expression in Argentina, published by Ediciones Lumiere. Magdalena Ruiz Guiñazú and Nelson Castro, members of the organisation, will present the book at 8:00 p.m. on Thursday 19 September, at the Museo Mitre.
Violations worsened throughout the year, reaching a peak on 20 December. In less than one week, 20 journalists were physically assaulted by police, representing four more assaults than had been recorded during the previous six months. Moreover, the use of judicial harassment was highest in 2001 compared to the last three years, and there was a 50 percent increase in the number of legal actions, sentences and measures dictated by the courts. This data points to the need for the elimination of legal measures used by government officials to suppress any criticism of their administration.
This year, the book includes a chapter on Chile and Brazil, and an appendix with the precautionary measure submitted to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights following the sentencing of the Perfil publishing house in the Menem vs. NOTICIAS case.
Given the seriousness of the attacks on freedom of expression, the continued use of restrictive laws and the number of repressive bills brought forward this past year, as noted in the PERIODISTAS report, one can only conclude that freedom of expression continues to be severely restricted in Argentina.
Buenos Aires, 17 September 2002
