Media Law concern to the IACHR

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) stressed its concern about the situation of freedom of expression in Ecuador and focused on `severe restriction´ arising from the Communications Law.

`The articles of the law establish some important principles for exercising the right to freedom of thought and expression. However, when regulating those principles, the law establishes burdensome restrictions that make these principles result largely ineffective,´ said the report.

The report also reiterated their concern about the existence of criminal laws used to penalize the exercise of freedom of expression and civil rules that could impose disproportionate penalties against people who have criticized senior government officials.

It is also stated that the `Government of Ecuador has continued the practice of using public media to systematically stigmatize NGOs, human rights defenders and journalists who have reported or critically opined about State actions.´