Restrictive press law repealed in Brazil

"We commend Brazil's highest tribunal for eliminating a repressive press law, enacted during military rule, which imposes harsh penalties on journalists for criminal defamation," said CPJ's Senior Americas Program Coordinator Carlos Lauría. "This is a great step forward in the campaign to eliminate criminal defamation in Latin America. We urge Brazilian authorities to continue in the spirit of this ruling and repeal all remaining criminal defamation laws in the country."