The process followed by former governor Maria Elena Villareal for the alleged non-serious malicious accusation filed eight months ago against Yaco Martinez, CEO of La Nacion newspaper of Tulcan, has been declared void. If the sentence had been declared valid, Martinez would have been ordered to pay $ 30,000 in compensation plus 30 days in jail and a $ 19,000 fine.
Martinez had been tried at first instance over a publication made on last September 2, which stated: “Former Political Chief Julio Torres assumes governance,” headline that the applicant qualified as slanderous, as the subtitle: “persona non grata will be in charge of the governance.”
After the annulment, Yaco Martinez thanked the presence of the Tulcan inhabitants who gathered to witness the hearing, at which the former governor arrived in the company of former political chief Julio Torres, escorted by four soldiers of the Special Operations Group (GOE for its Spanish acronym). “Thanks to the people of Tulcan for having appropriated this case and having fought for the truth,” concluded Martinez.
President will not welcome the SIP
On the other hand, the Government rejected the meeting that was requested by the Inter American Press Association (IAPA) with President Rafael Correa to discuss some topics such as the next issue of the Communications Act and the defense of the independence and freedom of reporters.
The national secretary of Communication, Fernando Alvarado, through an official statement, said that “the issues that are seek to address are those that perpetue the privilege and power of a circle of owners of print shops that hide their economic and political endeavors in the sublime defense of rights. Therefore, we suggest the appointment to be redirected to the Superintendence of Market Power Control or entities that deal with business estates “. And the meeting will “not be possible”.
