WHEREAS the fraudulent cloning of media outlets is a grave violation of freedom of expression and makes a mockery of the public's right to be informed
WHEREAS the websites of the newspapers La Prensa Gráfica and El Diario de Hoy in El Salvador have been targeted through the creation of clone sites containing fake news and interviews aimed at confusing their readers
WHEREAS these developments are further exacerbated by the allegation that public officials are involved with the criminal group that did the cloning
WHEREAS instead of helping to settle the situation facing the two media outlets, the mayor of San Salvador was openly hostile to them
WHEREAS Principle 5 of the Declaration of Chapultepec states: "Prior censorship, restrictions on the circulation of the media or dissemination of their reports, forced publication of information, the imposition of obstacles to the free flow of news, and restrictions on the activities and movements of journalists directly contradict freedom of the press"
THE MIDYEAR MEETING OF THE IAPA RESOLVES
To urge the Salvadoran authorities to thoroughly investigate the case, harshly punish the guilty parties, and set legal precedents to prevent such acts in the future
To remain vigilant and monitor the judicial proceedings to ensure that these attacks on freedom of expression do not go unpunished.
