EL SALVADOR
The climate for freedom of the press continues to improve
in El Salvador following the signing of the Chapultepec
peace pact by the government and rebel forces in January.
On August 1, the National Department of Communications
advised members of the Association of Journalists
of El Salvador it would not longer issue credentials to journalists.
Since then, only the media issue credentials.
With this, El Salvador, in this sense, adopts the positions
of the Inter American Press Association and the Inrer-American Broadcasting Association, n the government document announcing the decision stated.
In June, El Diario de Hoy journalists were attacked as
they took photos of teachers eating while supposedly on
a hunger strike. Cameras and press credentials were
snatched and the journalists threatened with further reprisals.
In the last few months, the government has authorized
the operation of three new television channels, one
of them with an Christian evangelist format. The Jesuit run
Central American University and the private Technological
University have begun operating radio stations.
A sub-committee of the "Committee for the Consolidation
of Peace" (Conipaz) has revived a bill which threatens
freedom of expression. The project had been shelved
during the Napoleón Duarte administration because of
fierce opposition from the media and private associations.
The bill would establish a "right to reply," based on
purely subjective criteria. The Secretary of Information
would be empowered to make judgements about alleged
violations of free speech, to convict or acquit journalists
and media involved, and to force editors to publish or
broadcast articles, editorials and other matter without
making changes of any kind. The bill would also permit
the media to refuse paid advertisements. It declares that
the only valid press credential would be that issued by the
Information Secretary. The improper use of the press credential
would be punishable by law.
next events
Madrid, Spain