(RSF/IFEX) – Two articles of a bill aimed at reforming the Code of Criminal Procedure which is currently being debated in the Chamber of Deputies pose a threat to press freedom, says RSF. Article 264 obliges journalists to reveal their sources of information to a judge if the latter considers such information “indispensable” to the […]
(RSF/IFEX) – Two articles of a bill aimed at reforming the Code
of Criminal Procedure which is currently being debated in the
Chamber of Deputies pose a threat to press freedom, says RSF.
Article 264 obliges journalists to reveal their sources of
information to a judge if the latter considers such information
“indispensable” to the successful execution of legal proceedings
and if “their veracity can only be otherwise corroborated by the
identification” of their origin. The judge would then be able to
order a journalist to give him the names of his sources. Article
427 gives judges the power to prevent the media from covering
certain trials. Currently, all trials are open to the media.
Following protests by Bolivian media organizations, Bolivian
President Hugo Banzer called on Vice President of Congress Jorge
Quiroga to reject Article 264 which, according the Banzer, “goes
against the spirit of the `printing law’, in force since 1925.”
During a meeting with union representatives, on 13 October,
President of the Chamber of Deputies Hormando Vaca Diez agreed to
annul the offending paragraph of Article 264 and to make known
that the 1925 printing law is still in force.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
serious threat to press freedom and that Article 427 could lead
to widespread abuse
paragraphs are withdrawn from the reform bill during
parliamentary debates set to take place on 15 October
Appeals To
Excmo Sr. Presidente
Hugo Banzer
Palacio de Gobierno
La Paz, Bolivia
Fax: +5912 391216 / 371308 (if voice, ask “el tono de fax, por
favor”)Ministry of Governance
Av. Arce esq. Belisario Salinas
La Paz, Bolivia
Fax: +591 2 371334Ministry of Justice
Palacio de Comunicaciones Piso 6,
Avenida Mariscal Santa Cruz
La Paz, Bolivia
Fax: +591 2 356530Hormando Vaca Diez
President of the Lower House
Palacio Legislativo
Plaza Murillo
La Paz, Bolivia
Fax: +5912 392 178
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
