21 September 2010

IAPA concerned at contents of bill for anti-racism law that would restrict expression in Bolivia

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Miami (September 21, 2010)—The Inter American Press Association (IAPA) today voiced concern at contents of a legislative bill in Bolivia seeking to halt racial discrimination, saying it contains restrictions of press freedom by imposing harsh penalties limiting the free practice of journalism by news media.
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Miami (September 21, 2010)—The Inter American Press Association (IAPA) today voiced concern at contents of a legislative bill in Bolivia seeking to halt racial discrimination, saying it contains restrictions of press freedom by imposing harsh penalties limiting the free practice of journalism by news media. 

The bill for a Law Against Racism and All Forms of Discrimination that is being introduced in the Senate seeks in its Article 16 to fine and suspend the operating license of any news media outlet that propagates “racist and discriminatory ideas.” The bill further aims to make this kind of action a criminal offense and stiffen penalties beyond those stipulated in the current press law. 

IAPA President Alejandro Aguirre, editor of the Miami, Florida, Spanish-language newspaper Diario Las Américas, declared, “As an organization dedicated to the assurance of fundamental rights we view with satisfaction that there are laws guaranteeing the equality and fraternity of all citizens without racial or class distinction, but we cannot fail to mention our concern that this proposed legislation engages in serious restrictions of freedom of the press, in that it would make media guilty of offenses for statements, news and opinions which even though they do not coincide with the editorial stance of the media outlet itself have intrinsic news value, whether they come from sources of public interest or concern matters of public interest.” 

In the hope that the Senate will take a new look at the controversial clauses that would harshly penalize news media Aguirre added, “A great deal of prudence will be required when the content comes up for discussion in order not to curtail other rights guaranteed by the national Constitution, such as free speech and press freedom.” 

For his part, the chairman of the IAPA’s Committee on Freedom of the Press and Information, Robert Rivard, editor of the San Antonio Express-News, Texas, expressed support for the criticism raised by local press associations that oppose the prior censorship that would be imposed under Articles 16 and 24 and which are demanding the bill’s modification, saying that as currently drafted it points more to punishment than to prevention. 

Rivard added that “in the IAPA we always seek for it to be understood that there are no press offenses, such as this law is seeking to impose, with harsh penalties that include the shutdown of media, but rather that there be offenses committed through the press, those that are already dealt with appropriately under general laws.” 

The IAPA is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the defense and promotion of freedom of the press and of expression in the Americas. It is made up of more than 1,300 print publications from throughout the Western Hemisphere and is based in Miami, Florida. For more information please go to http://www.sipiapa.org

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