The Colegio de Periodistas de Costa Rica (Costa Rican College of Journalists) in an editorial published in the local Spanish language daily El Pais, rejected the so-called Ley Mordaza (Gag Law) and demanded the government to analyze the project presented.
The reactions to the new law has had a wide repercussion among journalists, officials of press media and members of political parties and other organizations.
The legislation establishes changes to the Penal Code and restricts the exercise of press, freedom of expression, says lawyer Carlos Serrano, who also says that the legislation only publishes data by public institutions and establishes penalties up to 10 years of prison for those who spread information about the police, the defense of the nation, foreign affairs and others.
Jose Rodolfo Ibarra, president of the Colegio, said that the legislation puts the work of the press in risk, especially investigations to discover corruption affairs.
Ibarra added it violates the Constitution, the democracy of the nation and the international conventions.
Costa Rican Journalists Against Legislation
The Colegio de Periodistas de Costa Rica (Costa Rican College of Journalists) in an editorial published in the local Spanish language daily El Pais, rejected the so-called Ley Mordaza (Gag Law) and demanded the government to analyze the project presented.
The reactions to the new law has had a wide repercussion among journalists, officials of press media and members of political parties and other organizations.
The legislation establishes changes to the Penal Code and restricts the exercise of press, freedom of expression, says lawyer Carlos Serrano, who also says that the legislation only publishes data by public institutions and establishes penalties up to 10 years of prison for those who spread information about the police, the defense of the nation, foreign affairs and others.
Jose Rodolfo Ibarra, president of the Colegio, said that the legislation puts the work of the press in risk, especially investigations to discover corruption affairs.
Ibarra added it violates the Constitution, the democracy of the nation and the international conventions.
