September 4
All journalists, LEGAL ACTION
The Honduran National Congress approved reforms to Article 295 of the penal code, increasing prison sentences and fines for anyone who “within the country or abroad publishes or in any manner discloses false, exaggerated, or tendentious news which places at risk the national economy or public credit.” Individuals found guilty under this amendment now face a three- to six-year prison sentence, up from one to three years, and may be fined 20,000 to 50,000 lempiras (US$1,600 to $4,000), up from 500 to 2,000 lempiras.
Journalists and human rights advocates denounced the changes to the legislation. In response, the Congress on Sept. 11 made the law even broader, removing from the text any reference to publishing or disclosing news and making the law applicable to anyone who “places at risk the national economy or public credit.” The Commission for the Defense of Human Rights (CODEH) issued a statement saying that the reforms to Article 295 violate Hondurans' constitutional right to free expression.

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