A Especially Tough Job: Being a Journalist in Ecuador
And the latest example comes to us from the city of Guayaquil, where yet another journalist has been sentenced to prison for fulfilling his duty to inform the public.
Ecuador's FUNDAMENDIOS reports that Peter Tavra Fernández, reporter for the Guayaquil daily El Universo, has been sentenced to six months in prison on criminal defamation charges.
And the charges almost read like a bad crime novel. They also defy all press freedom logic.
According to FUNDAMEDIOS, one of those brave local press freedom groups that insist on getting on the abusers' case, the plaintiff is a woman accused of illegally transporting migrant workers to the USA.
The charges stem from a February 2009 article written by Tavra, which was drafted from a police report, informing about the detention of Mónica Carrera, accused of "coyoterismo," or assistance to illegal migration, for which she faces a prison sentence herself.
Even so, according to FUNDAMEDIOS, she had the audacity to press criminal defamation charges against Tavra, alleging, "that the published article caused grave injuries to her honor, fame and prestige."
Even though Tavra was cleared of all charges by a lower court, later an appeals court sentenced him to six months in prison and the payment of a US$3,000 fine. Tavra and the editor-in-chief of his publication appealed the decision, which allowed him to remain free for now.
One must admire all these brave souls who face daunting obstacles to perform what we think is a duty to society, keeping the public informed about matters of critical interest.
We also deplore the fact that so many countries, including Ecuador, keep criminal defamation and insult laws in their books for just about anyone to use them to silence the news media.
Shame on the court of appeals that made such a reckless decision.
Ecuador's FUNDAMENDIOS reports that Peter Tavra Fernández, reporter for the Guayaquil daily El Universo, has been sentenced to six months in prison on criminal defamation charges.
And the charges almost read like a bad crime novel. They also defy all press freedom logic.
According to FUNDAMEDIOS, one of those brave local press freedom groups that insist on getting on the abusers' case, the plaintiff is a woman accused of illegally transporting migrant workers to the USA.
The charges stem from a February 2009 article written by Tavra, which was drafted from a police report, informing about the detention of Mónica Carrera, accused of "coyoterismo," or assistance to illegal migration, for which she faces a prison sentence herself.
Even so, according to FUNDAMEDIOS, she had the audacity to press criminal defamation charges against Tavra, alleging, "that the published article caused grave injuries to her honor, fame and prestige."
Even though Tavra was cleared of all charges by a lower court, later an appeals court sentenced him to six months in prison and the payment of a US$3,000 fine. Tavra and the editor-in-chief of his publication appealed the decision, which allowed him to remain free for now.
One must admire all these brave souls who face daunting obstacles to perform what we think is a duty to society, keeping the public informed about matters of critical interest.
We also deplore the fact that so many countries, including Ecuador, keep criminal defamation and insult laws in their books for just about anyone to use them to silence the news media.
Shame on the court of appeals that made such a reckless decision.
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