Source: “El Claron”, Buenos Aires On 15 May 1996, Argentine President Carlos Menem introduced a bill to fight government corruption which would allow access to statements of the personal wealth of public officials. However, the bill could pose a threat to press freedom, since it calls for prison terms for those individuals who circulate that […]
Source: “El Claron”, Buenos Aires
On 15 May 1996, Argentine President Carlos Menem introduced a
bill to fight government corruption which would allow access to
statements of the personal wealth of public officials. However,
the bill could pose a threat to press freedom, since it calls for
prison terms for those individuals who circulate that
information.
The bill includes an amendment to the Penal Code that would
accelerate investigations into embezzlement by public officials
as well as increase the penalties for that crime. In addition,
the bill would enable any Argentine citizen to review the
statements of personal wealth that public officials would have to
present upon taking office. Nevertheless, the government attached
a significant condition to that access: according to the proposed
Article 156 of the Penal Code, “any citizen who divulges without
just cause a statement of personal wealth of public officials or
persons linked to them will be sentenced to prison anywhere from
one month to two years.” Since it does not distinguish between
journalists and individuals, if the bill became law it could be
used to prevent the media from reporting on the personal wealth
of public officials.
Justice Minister Rodolfo Barra defended this aspect of the bill
by stating that “the widespread circulation [of information on
public officials’ wealth] constitutes an invasion of privacy,”
even though being informed of the fluctuations in a public
official’s wealth is essential to investigating incidents of
embezzlement. Barra added that if the circulation of that
information were allowed, then “many people who had worked for
several years would be extremely appalled to find out that, upon
embarking on a career as a public official, information about
their personal wealth had been published in the papers.”
Recently, a judge turned down the request by a government
minister, Domingo Cavallo, to order a television programme not to
broadcast his declaration of personal wealth.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
infringe on the ability of the media to carry out its
professional duty, and asking them to ensure that press freedom
be guaranteed
Appeals To
His Excellency Carlos Saul Menem
President of Argentina
Casa Rosada
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Fax: +54 1 331 6765
the Argentine diplomatic representative in your country
Please copy appeals to the originator if possible.
