EL SALVADOR

Freedom of the press in El Salvador has enjoyed a stable six-month period. The current administration has maintained a friendly stance towards the media and government officials have been responsive to journalists questions. Regular public appearances by President José Antonio Saca have provided timely accessibility on a broad range of topics. Moreover, he has been willing to provide in-depth interviews to domestic and international media, and on international trips. Administration officials, some more than others, have demonstrated an openness befitting of the presidency, with the federal government providing better quality information and responses to media queries. However, other areas of government have not been so cooperative. The current chairman of the legislature, Ciro Cruz Zepeda, has not granted an interview in more than six months, or responded to interview requests. The Court of Accountability is another institution where limitations exist on freedom of information. To date it has only partly reported on some audits of government finances, and the accountability proceedings against government officials are closed to the public. A number of institutions and analysts have increasingly weighed in on the conduct of the court. In September a think-tank, the Salvadoran Foundation for Economic and Social Development (FUSADES), called upon the Court of Accountability to be non-partisan to enable a more transparent procedure for providing information. The courts have not issued almost any summons to journalists, except for a few private suits where journalists were not the primary focus of the action.