(IAPA/IFEX) – The following is a 13 May 2004 IAPA press release: IAPA Hemispheric Summit Signing of New Law on Access to Information in Ecuador A summary of the Summit is available at http://www.sipiapa.com/summit Miami (May 13, 2004) – The passing of a new law on access to information in Ecuador was received as “positive […]
(IAPA/IFEX) – The following is a 13 May 2004 IAPA press release:
IAPA Hemispheric Summit
Signing of New Law on Access to Information in Ecuador
A summary of the Summit is available at http://www.sipiapa.com/summit
Miami (May 13, 2004) – The passing of a new law on access to information in Ecuador was received as “positive news” for strengthening democracy in that country, during the Summit of National Congresses of the Americas on Press Freedom that concluded on Tuesday in Washington, after two days of meetings.
Organized by the Inter American Press Association, the hemispheric meeting convened a group of distinguished members of congress and senators from 22 countries as well as academics and journalists from North, Central and South America who discussed aspects relating to freedom of expression on the tenth anniversary of the Declaration of Chapultepec.
The discussion focused on regulations that limit press freedom by imposing civil and criminal sanctions, crimes against honor, the right to privacy and the obligation of States with regards to access to information.
During a workshop led by former IAPA President Tony Pederson, a professor at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, recommendations were made on elements that an effective access to information law needs to contain. Meeting participants also analyzed aspects of the new Ecuadorian law.
Yesterday, the President of Ecuador, Lucio Gutiérrez, signed a law that had been approved by Congress on May 4. For the law to enter into effect, it must be published in the Official Register, which takes place in five business days.
Ecuador joins Peru, Panama, and Mexico, countries that have specific laws on access to information. At the Summit, however, the discussion centered on the imperfections these laws have, although participants stressed that we are moving from a culture of secrecy to one of transparency.
Setting the tone of the debate, IAPA President Jack Fuller said that the idea of freedom of expression begins with a recognition of human imperfections. He added that tension between the press and government is inevitable and that “it is worthwhile to take the risks that freedom entails.”
During the discussion, the recurring question among legislators and journalists with respect to crimes against honor and the right to privacy was: What is the limit to press freedom and who controls the behavior of the media and journalists?
Answers from academics and journalists showed that the media, as private entities, are responsible for their own actions under the law. Control over the media pertains to judges, while the public, through its preferences, exercises control through the selection of what media it reads, listens to or watches in a market that should be competitive and diverse.
The Summit was held on May 9-11, and was funded by the Robert R. McCormick Tribune Foundation.
