Communications Bill’s sanctions worry the media

The international organization Reporters Without Borders complained that “there are no provisions to decriminalize the offenses of ‘defamation’ and ‘libel'” in the new Ecuadorian Communications Bill and also questioned the ambiguity of other items.

“We consider as damaging, an article which states that ‘everyone has the right that public relevant information they receive through the media, to be verified, contrasted, contextualized and be timely.'” And it asks: “What criteria will allow to judge the value of information? What authority has this power?”

Another concern for journalists is “media lynching”. The law states that journalists should “refrain from practice media lynching”, i.e. “to give concerted and iterative information, directly or by third parties through the media, intended to discredit a natural or legal person, or reduce its public credibility. “

The new law, which must be complied by all media, worry the journalists over certain rules they consider as ambiguous, and if they fail to comply could mean an administrative, civil and criminal sanction.

Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa, during his weekly citizen report, signed and approved the Communications Bill.