Uruguay

New York, June 11, 2009--The Committee to Protect Journalists commends the Uruguayan Congress' approval on Wednesday of a bill that repeals criminal defamation on issues of public interest involving officials. The bill is now under consideration of President Tabaré Vázquez for signing it into law.

In response to the approval yesterday by the Uruguayan Senate of a bill that repeals criminal defamation on issues of public interest involving officials, and eliminates a disrespect provision, we issued the following statement today...

The Chavez administration pulls a broadcast license as it asserts media muscle.

APRIL 18, 2007
Posted May 16, 2007

Gustavo Escanlar Patrone, Canal 10
LEGAL ACTION

The Uruguayan Supreme Court of Justice ratified a three-month suspended prison sentence against Escanlar, host of the television program “Bendita TV,” in a criminal defamation suit.

Latin America's new leftist leaders may try to portray themselves as good news for the press, using the rhetoric of liberal democracy. But political and media analysts say these recently installed left-wing administrations are deeply rooted in the region's longstanding culture of authoritarianism.

New York, September 26, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed that the Uruguayan Supreme Court of Justice has reinstated the criminal defamation conviction of journalist Carlos Dogliani Staricco for stories describing a local mayor’s handling of a constituent’s property tax debt. The court appeared to disregard a growing number of legal opinions in the region that have found criminal defamation laws to be in violation of international law and unnecessary in a democracy. In addition, the court asserted that the factual basis of the coverage was not a relevant defense.

Attacks and developments throughout the region

OCTOBER 17, 2005
Posted: November 2, 2005

Marcelo Borrat, TV Libre and AM Libre
ATTACKED, THREATENED

Borrat, a radio and television reporter who worked for the media conglomerate Multimedio Plural, was beaten, and threatened by three unidentified assailants, the journalist's lawyer, Edison Lanza, told CPJ. Borrat hosted the show "Juramento Hipocrático" on TV Libre and AM Libre, television and radio stations that belong to the media conglomerate Multimedio Plural based in the capital, Montevideo.