New labor code would sanction libel accusations in networks

Alexis Mera

The proposed scheme by the legal secretary, Alexis Mera, called for establishing a procedure for punishing the injuries done to the social networks. As President of the Justice Committee, Mauro Andino (AP) held that the definition of slander is already being considered.

According to Article 161 of the Penal Code draft it indicates that any libel accusations is committed by the person making false accusations of a crime against another, and is punishable by a custodial sentence of six months to two years.

“We put the libel accusations in general terms… as a consequence of a person of the right to affect other through the radio, on television, in public, social gatherings, social networks, I mean … is an open type to everything,” said Andino in a statement to Ecuavisa.

Last week, Mera said: “I have proposed that the current libel processes regarding libel accusation on social networks because social media can be an instrument of impunity, I have asked the Commission (…) to make a special procedure so that there are no insults on Twitter or on Facebook.”

While Patricio Donoso (CREO), it is okay to criminalize any type of libel accusation, but he said the authorities should also not do it.