Parliament may repeal controversial information law
New York, July 25, 2001–After a firestorm of criticism from the Paraguayan press, Parliament has announced plans to repeal a controversial new access to information law that severely restricts the ability of journalists to obtain public records. President Luis González Macchi signed Law 1728 on Administrative Transparency and Free Access to Information on July 16.…
Horacio Verbitsky: Awardee 2001
HORACIO VERBITSKY is one of Argentina’s leading investigative journalists, and a columnist and press freedom activist. He has built his distinguished career by fearlessly exposing government corruption and battling restrictive press laws. A working journalist since 1960, Verbitsky’s relentless pursuit of a story has earned him his nickname el perro, or the dog. In January 1991, Verbitsky…
Journalist jailed for distributing “false information”
Your Excellency: The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is writing to condemn the unjust prosecution of José Orlando González Bridón, a Cuban journalist and labor activist who was recently sentenced to two years in jail for distributing “false information.”
CPJ Alarmed by Venezuelan High Court “Truthful Information” Ruling
New York, June 21, 2001 — In a letter sent today to President Hugo Chávez Frías, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) expressed alarm about the Venezuelan Supreme Court’s recent decision that issues criteria for “timely, truthful, and impartial information” and specifies how this right may be exercised. “We are deeply concerned that Venezuelan officials…
Radio journalist threatened for comments about ruling party
Your Excellency: The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is profoundly concerned about recent threats against Roosevelt Benjamin, director of information of the radio station Signal FM, based in the Port-au-Prince suburb of Pétion-Ville. We urge Your Excellency to guarantee the safety of our colleague.
Local press freedom group launches emergency network
New York, June 5, 2001 — At a recent seminar in Guatemala City, the local press freedom organization Centro para la Defensa de la Libertad de Expresión (CEDEX) encouraged journalists from all over Guatemala to report attacks on the press in their areas. Journalists in Guatemala often face violent threats in response to their work,…
Local crime reporter threatened with death
Your Excellency: The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is deeply concerned for the safety of Paraguayan journalist Séver del Puerto and his family, who have suffered an onslaught of death threats and harassment in recent weeks. We call on Your Excellency to ensure that these threats are fully investigated, and the perpetrators punished.
President ratifies press law that repeals “disrespect” statute; CPJ concerned over certain provisions
New York, May 25, 2001 — Chilean president Ricardo Lagos has signed a new law that repeals several provisions of the country’s infamous State Security Law, including one (Article 6b) that made it a crime against public order to insult high officials. First proposed eight years ago, the new “Law on Freedoms of Opinion and…
Jailed journalist charged with distributing “enemy propaganda”
New York, May 23, 2001 — After a postponement, the trial of a jailed Cuban journalist is now scheduled to begin on Friday, May 25. José Orlando González Bridón, a Cuban journalist and labor activist, has been jailed since December 15, 2000. While the nature of the charges against González Bridón was initially unclear, CPJ…