PANAMA

This period was characterized by a discussion about the proposed revision of the Penal Code to decriminalize libel. The Executive Branch’s code commission, which presented a draft revision of the Panamanian Penal Code in June, has now presented the proposed new Penal Code. It has been reported, that while the crimes of libel are the same, the drafting commission has adopted language that will go to the Legislative Asssembly and that would decriminalize crimes against a person’s reputation when the people involved are public servants or private individuals who are involved in matters of public interest. These points embody recommendations of the Inter Amrican system for the protection of human rights and reflect the recommendations of a workshop and conference on press freedom for lawyers and legislators in Panama in February of this year. We will remain vigilant during the legislative process of approving the new code and will urge the Executive Branch to support these provisions during the debate. On March 23, the Ethics Committee of the National Council of Journalism of Panama began its work. It is the third self regulation organization for journalism in Latin America, following those established in Chile and Peru. The committee accepts inquiries and offers recommendations about specific cases in the practice of journalism. A case is pending in which a media outlet has been threatened with seizure and a journalist’s salary was garnished. It involves a news article that was confirmed and reported in a balanced way with ample space provided for the subjects to reply and clarify. Since the plaintiff is a Supreme Court justice, there is a real danger that the defendants may not have a fair trial.