MIAMI, Florida (June 13, 2012)—The Inter American Press Association (IAPA) has warmly welcomed remarks recently made by Chile’s President Sebastián Piñera regarding his unrestricted protection of press freedom, declaring, “even though this may not be comfortable for those in government, but I prefer one thousand times more the racket of a free press to the silence of a muzzled press.”
Piñera was speaking yesterday (Tuesday, June 12) while attending the “bicentennial dinner” of the Chilean press, hosted by the National Press Association (ANP).
In mentioning several initiatives of his government to preserve and guarantee press freedom, he cited in particular his adherence to the Declaration of Chapultepec, which sets out 10 fundamental principles for a free press to be able to carry out its role in a democracy.
The Declaration has been signed by 59 presidents of countries in the Americas since its adoption in 1994 during a Hemisphere Conference organized by the IAPA and held in Mexico. Piñera added his signature to it on May 3 last year in a ceremony at Constitution Square outside Santiago’s La Moneda Palace, an occasion in which he highlighted his program aimed at “defending and promoting at all times, in all places and under all circumstances freedom of the press,” pledging also to raise his voice “when others in government sully that freedom.”
For its part the IAPA is considering making the Chilean capital, Santiago, the venue for its 2014 annual General Assembly.
