Panama City (November 21, 2024) – Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino today signed the two declarations of principles from the Inter American Press Association (IAPA), Chapultepec and Salta II, in an event that reaffirms his government's commitment to press freedom and democracy. Mulino becomes the first leader in the region to endorse the Declaration of Salta II, a renewed version of the original 2018 document addressing the challenges of press freedom in the digital age.
The signing ceremony took place in the Yellow Room of the Palacio de las Garzas, the presidential palace of Panama, during a visit by an international IAPA delegation led by its president, José Roberto Dutriz, president and CEO of La Prensa Gráfica in El Salvador.
"Signing these fundamental documents is more than a symbolic act; it is a reaffirmation of Panama's commitment to the essential values that sustain our democratic societies," Dutriz stated. "We appreciate your openness to dialogue and your dedication to the fundamental values represented by these declarations. IAPA will continue to support Panama on this path, fostering an environment where journalists can work without fear or restrictions, contributing to the strengthening of a vibrant and transparent democracy," he added.
In his message, Mulino stated that "Panama has a commitment, and this is real." He affirmed that signing these declarations "promotes more democracy."
The IAPA delegation, which will remain in Panama until November 22, also met with members of the media and representatives of local associations to discuss key issues related to freedom of expression. The IAPA delegation in Panama also included former IAPA presidents Roberto Rock of Mexico's digital portal La Silla Rota and Michael Greenspon of The New York Times in the United States; the chair of the Executive Committee, Gabriela Vivanco of Ecuador's La Hora newspaper; and IAPA Executive Director Carlos Lauría.
In the afternoon, they met with National Assembly President Dana Castañeda, who also signed both declarations.
On Wednesday, November 20, the IAPA delegation held an extended working meeting with President Mulino to openly and candidly discuss various concerns, including judicial harassment through defamation lawsuits filed by public officials against journalists and media outlets.
These actions not only aim to silence investigations into alleged corruption but also allow judges to order asset seizures as guarantees even before a ruling, severely impacting journalistic independence.
"We are encouraged that during our discussion, we were able to explore legal and administrative solutions to ensure a fair balance between individual rights and freedom of expression," Dutriz said.
The dialogue also addressed administrative procedures initiated by the National Authority for Transparency and Access to Information (ANTAI). The IAPA acknowledged progress in access to public information, a fundamental pillar of accountability in Panama. Additionally, it hailed the Mulino administration's commitment to not manipulate state advertising allocations, a practice that in the past created inequality and exerted pressure on the press.
In this regard, potential future regulations were discussed to establish transparent, equitable, and predefined criteria to ensure fair treatment of all media.
The Declaration of Chapultepec, adopted in 1994, outlines ten principles as the foundation for public freedoms and human rights, with freedom of expression at its core. Meanwhile, the Declaration of Salta II, approved last October during the IAPA General Assembly in Córdoba, Argentina, updates this framework to address the complexities of the digital ecosystem, including artificial intelligence and the commercial disruptions caused by major technology platforms.
In addition to Mulino, this year the presidents of Guatemala, Bernardo Arévalo; Paraguay, Santiago Peña; and Ecuador, Daniel Noboa, also signed the Chapultepec Declaration, reaffirming their commitment to press freedom in their respective countries.
The IAPA is a non-profit organization dedicated to defending and promoting freedom of the press and expression in the Americas. It comprises more than 1,300 publications from the western hemisphere and is based in Miami, Florida, United States.
