The year 2012 brought major challenges for the IAPA regarding freedom of expression and of the press and for the full practice of journalism in the Americas. Several situations of international significance intensely occupied the organization’s attention through efforts to address what is considered to be ferocious official attacks that sought to silence the independent press.
In Ecuador we were witnesses to multiple actions against the independent press. A legal action from the Executive Branch against executives and a journalist of the newspaper El Universo, and the subsequent sentencing and pardon constitute acts that run the risk of encouraging self-censorship on the part of journalists for fear of reprisals and represent just one of the serious problems originating from the government of Rafael Correa that the independent press has had to face. In Argentina, serious challenges hinder the exercise of the free press, whose role as critics and watchdogs disturbs those in power. An example of this is the government’s intense public campaign putting pressure on judges to emit a verdict in line with its interests regarding two articles of this Media Law whose constitutionality the Grupo Clarín had questioned.
In both cases the IAPA put forth its best efforts and dedicated time to ensure that another voice would be heard.
Violence against the press continued to occupy a dominant place in some countries in the Americas. This year, 19 journalists have been killed; seven in Mexico, six in Brazil, four in Honduras, one in Ecuador and one in Haiti. Another four Mexican journalists have gone missing.
During the year, systematic campaigns against the independent press continued in Argentina, Ecuador and Venezuela, manifesting themselves through regulatory laws, discriminatory distribution of official advertising, and the use of state-owned and sympathizing private media to defame and discredit the independent press.
Full respect for individual freedoms and for freedom of the press and of expression is an unswerving commitment that the organization maintains with regard to Cuba, where there has been an increase in repressive actions against independent journalists and opponents, with some 1,843 short-term arrests made between April and November of this year according to figures provided by the Cuban Human Rights and National Reconciliation Commission.
Due to the importance that the IAPA gives to Cuba, we named Yoani Sánchez, creator of the Generación Y blog and stringer for the Spanish newspaper El País, vice chair for that country within the IAPA’s Committee on Freedom of the Press and Information.
In addition, we reach the end of the year with uncertainty, as the reforms being discussed by the Organization of American States (OAS) to amend the Inter-American Human Rights System could weaken the work of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) and that of the Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression. Next year we will have to focus much of our efforts on the defense of this organization, vital to the protection of democracy in the Americas.
On a positive note, an historic request by our organization was met with the decision to federalize criminal offenses against journalists and with the enactment of the law for the protection of journalists in Mexico. We hope that very soon all the requirements will be in place to allow the full implementation of these regulations. In addition, a constitutional amendment federalizing criminal offenses against journalists and stiffening penalties is being discussed in Brazil.
Regarding legislative matters, a heated debate surrounded the entry into force of the Cybercrimes Law in Costa Rica, with changes to the wording of the law being debated at the moment. Brazil enacted the first law to make cybercrime punishable. In Bolivia, the Constitutional Tribunal declared the criminalization of contempt as unconstitutional.
Many of the situations that arose during the year required the dispatch of IAPA international missions, the most recent one to Argentina, where we looked into the state of freedom of expression, and after conducting hundreds of interviews, reached the conclusion that there continues to be serious setbacks to the free practice of journalism in this South American country.
We also held a conference in Honduras on the issues of safety, protection and solidarity that brought together journalists, news media representatives, press organizations and government officials. The conference concluded with official commitments to pursue public reforms that would seek to put an end to violence and impunity in that country.
In Washington, DC, we held a university forum with the participation of students and professors from 15 United States and Latin American universities. During the forum, participants examined freedom of expression in light of the inter-American system.
This year President Mauricio Funes of El Salvador added his signature to the 1994 Declaration of Chapultepec, a fundamental and relevant document that sets out 10 principles to guarantee freedom of expression and information.
The organization has continued with its professional development activities. In 2012 six seminars were held, in which 300 reporters, editors and media executives took part along with more than 25 university students.
We end 2012 with a note of gratitude to IAPA members, institutions and all those who with their commitment, contributions and support have helped bring about the effective implementation of the activities carried out this year. At meetings with committee chairs and other officers of our organization, we have discussed very important changes that when implemented will strengthen our ability to advance the values we defend.
So we will be starting 2013 with an agenda full of decisions to be made, proposals for change, and activities that have as their additional objective to engage all IAPA members through their commitment and work. Given the importance of the matters to be addressed, the quality of our guests and speakers, and the changes that are being suggested, we trust that the Midyear Meeting to be held in Puebla, Mexico, will have a huge turnout. The enthusiastic participation of each member will be the starting point for strengthening and proclaiming the Inter American Press Association as the leading defender of freedoms in the Americas, despite the bleak panorama that lies ahead for the defense of democracy.
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.
