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Alerts - Panama

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Panama

Radio commentator who spoke out against corruption assassinated in Coclé

Darío Fernández Jaén, a former governor of the province of Coclé, had reported on alleged land title irregularities via a programme on his radio station, Radio Mi Favorita.

Panama

IAPA asks government to take action on campaigns to discredit journalists

A number of journalists have been the subject of insults and a campaign to slur their reputations in videos posted anonymously on YouTube and in television ads.

Panama

Expulsion of two Spanish journalists deals blow to freedom of expression

Spanish journalists Paco Gómez Nadal and Pilar Chato agreed under pressure to be repatriated 48 hours after being arrested during a demonstration.

Panama

RSF welcomes withdrawal of proposal introducing jail terms for insulting the president

The proposed amendment to the criminal code would have made insulting the president or any other elected representative punishable by two to four years in prison.

Colombia / Panama

Panamanian asylum for former Colombian intelligence chief an "insult to DASgate victims," says RSF

María del Pilar Hurtado is one of three former DAS chiefs who face disciplinary sanctions in connection with the phone-tapping of journalists and human rights activists.

Panama

Defamation conviction draws outcry

Although President Ricardo Martinelli said he would pardon the journalists, CPJ said that lawmakers should repeal all criminal penalties for defamation.

Panama

Retired journalist freed after being held for 19 days

Carlos Núñez was arrested after being convicted in absentia as a result of a libel suit brought against him 10 years ago.

Panama

Government reportedly tries to expel Spanish journalist

Paco Gómez Nadal says the authorities are hounding not only him but also the country's journalists in general.

Panama

Veteran journalist jailed on defamation charges

The charges against Carlos Núñez López stem from a 2005 story about environmental damage in the province of Bocas del Toro.

Panama

"La Prensa" convicted of libel, ordered to pay US$300,000 in damages

The newspaper published a story on a former public prosecutor who was dismissed over ethical issues.

Panama

IAPA concerned at bill that would "legalise" media self-regulation

A bill before the National Assembly seeks to establish a national agency to oversee self-regulation of news media outlets.

Panama

IAPA condemns conviction of journalist

(IAPA/IFEX) - Miami, April 29, 2009 - The Inter American Press Association (IAPA) today characterized the two-year prison sentence handed down to a Panamanian journalist for his 2001 exposure of corruption involving a Supreme Court justice in that country "judicial harassment".

Panama

Judge orders seizure of weekly after story on alleged tax evasion

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is an 8 September 2008 CPJ press release:

Panama

Columnist barred from leaving the country, ordered to stand trial on criminal defamation charges

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 28 July 2008 CPJ press release:

Panama

Television cameraman and photographer killed while covering gang conflict

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is an IFJ media release:

Panama

President signs into law penal code amendments that threaten press freedom

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF is deeply disappointed by Panamanian President Martín Torrijos' decision, on 21 March 2007, to endorse two articles in the newly-amended criminal code that violate press freedom.

Panama

RSF urges president to veto two proposed amendments to criminal code that endanger free expression

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is a 12 March 2007 RSF letter to the president of Panama:

Panama

Draft bill threatening freedom of expression one step away from becoming law

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 22 February 2007 ARTICLE 19 press release:

Panama

Press freedom threatened by three articles of proposed criminal code amendment

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has urged parliament not to back a proposal for criminal law modification, which passed its first reading on 7 February 2007, three articles of which pose a very serious threat to freedom of expression and the press.

Panama

IAPA concerned at bid to amend Penal Code to stiffen penalties for journalists found guilty of defamation

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 20 June 2006 IAPA press release:

Panama

Two newspaper journalists dismissed for refusing to name source

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF condemns the political pressure that apparently led to the dismissal of reporter Rafael Antonio Ruiz and deputy editor César Iván Castillo of the daily "El Siglo". The two were fired on 14 November 2005 over a report in that day's issue, alleging that a presidential bodyguard was implicated in a drug trafficking case.

Panama

WPFC urges Panamanian president to eliminate crime of "insult"

(WPFC/IFEX) - The following is a 20 October 2005 WPFC letter to Panamanian President Martín Torrijos Espino:

Panama

IAPA concerned about multi-million-dollar lawsuit, proposed seizure of journalist's salary

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 19 August 2005 IAPA press release:

Panama

Judge files complaint against journalist

(PROBIDAD/IFEX) - Supreme Court Justice Winston Spadafora has filed a complaint against journalist Jean Marcel Chéry of "La Prensa" newspaper for an 18 July 2005 article reporting that Attorney General Ana Matilde Gómez had said that judges had to render accounts for their decisions, although Spadafora was scarcely mentioned in the article (see "Magistrados deben rendir cuentas: Gómez" in http://www.prensa.com/t.asp?d=050718p281675).

Panama

WPFC urges President and National Assembly to take final steps to eliminate "insult" laws

(WPFC/IFEX) - The following is a 21 July 2005 WPFC letter to Panamanian President Martín Torrijos Espino:

Panama

IAPA pleased over repeal of gag laws

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is an 18 May 2005 IAPA press release:

Panama

WPFC welcomes introduction of bill eliminating the crime of "insult" from Panamanian legislation, encourages president to decriminalise defamation

(WPFC/IFEX) - The following is a 24 March 2005 WPFC letter to President Martín Torrijos Espino:

Peru / Panama

Peruvian journalist faces legal action

(IPYS/IFEX) - Journalist Pablo O'Brien Cuadros, of the Lima-based newspaper "El Comercio", is facing legal action in a Panama court. On 25 January 2005, a case against the journalist was admitted at the Thirteenth District Prosecutor's Office in Panama City. He is accused of "acting against the public faith and falsifying information".

Panama

New president urged to repeal laws restricting press freedom

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has called on newly-elected President Martin Torrijos to repeal all laws that still provide for prison terms for media offences. Torrijos was sworn into office on 1 September 2004.

Panama

Colombian journalist mistreated by Panamanian authorities

(IPYS/IFEX) - On 16 July 2004, investigate journalist Carlos Eduardo Huertas, of the Colombian magazine "Semana", was mistreated by security personnel at the Albrook airport in Panama. Huertas had submitted a formal request to the Panamanian Civil Aviation authorities for permission to view certain public documents. The incident occurred when Huertas went to the airport to obtain a response to his request.

Panama

WPFC welcomes National Assembly's approval of the elimination of "insult" law from the Constitution, calls for complete elimination of the "crime of insult" from Panamanian legislation

(WPFC/IFEX) - The following is a 12 July 2004 WPFC letter to Jacobo Salas, speaker of the Legislative Assembly:

Panama

RSF challenges president-elect over gag laws still in effect

(RSF/IFEX) - The following is a 30 June 2004 RSF open letter to President-elect Martín Torrijos Espino:

Panama

Journalist forced to submit to questioning in criminal defamation case

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 24 March 2004 CPJ press release:

Panama

IAPA concerned over restrictions on reporting on judiciary's activities

(IAPA/IFEX) - The following is a 12 January 2004 IAPA press release:

Panama

Judge overturns decision barring journalist from leaving country

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 29 October 2003 CPJ press release:

Panama

Two journalists handed one-year prison sentences for "insulting" former interior minister

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has protested the one-year prison sentences, commutable to a fine of US$600, handed to journalists Marcel Chéry and Gustavo Aparicio, of the daily "El Panamá América", on 7 August 2003 for a 2001 report that allegedly "insulted" then interior and justice minister Winston Spadafora.

Panama

Journalists threatened for investigating land development company

(PFC/IFEX) - Dutch journalist Okke Ornstein and Panamanian journalist Carmen Boyd, of "El Siglo" newspaper, have been threatened. In addition, Ornstein's lawyer was found dead in early May 2003. The two journalists have been investigating and reporting on the San Cristobal land development company, which is suspected of having swindled foreign investors.

Panama

Mayor's husband assaults journalists

Panama

Four "La Prensa" journalists arrested

Panama

Judge orders journalist to serve jail time

Panama

One year after enactment of access to information law, restrictions still in place

Panama

Journalists accused of "crimes against honour"

Panama

Journalists sentenced for "crimes against honour"

Panama

Cartoonist sued for "damage to reputation"

Panama

Legal harassment of the media continues

Panama

Journalist goes on trial for defamation

Panama

Authorities seek strict press licensing regime

Panama

IAPA welcomes opening of access to public records

Panama

Journalist threatened with imprisonment

Panama

IPI expresses concern over criminal defamation charges pending against editorial cartoonist

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