ARGENTINA I

ARGENTINA I WHEREAS in the province of Mendoza a bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives with the express purpose of limiting freedom of the press, in that it imposes mandatory ethical standards on journalistic activity in the province, sets up a disciplinary court to pass judgment on noncompliance with such standards, and establishes a journalists association to which journalists are required to belong, thereby implicitly imposing a system of mandatory colegio membership WHEREAS article 32 of Argentina's Constitution, which is analogous to the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, proscribes the making of laws "that abridge the freedom of the press…" WHEREAS the measures contemplated within the purview of this bill constitute an arsenal of rules very commonly used by dictatorial governments WHEREAS Principle 8 of the Declaration of Chapultepec states that "[t]he membership of journalists in guilds, their affiliation to professional and trade associations and the affiliation of the media with business groups must be strictly voluntary" WHEREAS Principle 9 of the Declaration of Chapultepec states that "[t]he credibility of the press is linked to its commitment to truth, to the pursuit of accuracy, fairness and objectivity and to the clear distinction between news and advertising; [t]he attainment of these goals and the respect for ethical and professional values may not be imposed; [t]hese are the exclusive responsibility of journalists and the media; [i]n a free society, it is public opinion that rewards or punishes" THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE IAPA RESOLVES to request that the House of Representatives of the Province of Mendoza not allow the aforesaid bill to proceed, inasmuch as it violates freedom of the press and article 32 of Argentina's Constitution.