26 June 2009

Alert

IFJ welcomes legislative changes eliminating "press crimes"


Incident details

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English Español
(IFJ/IFEX) - 24 June 2009 - IFJ welcomes the approval of a legislative change that eliminates the risk and punishment that journalists previously faced when reporting on certain individuals, symbols or issues of public interest in Uruguay. According to the Uruguayan Press Association (Asociación de la Prensa del Uruguay, APU) and other local organisations, the changes to the country's legal framework have "decriminalised the dissemination of information and opinions about public officials and issues of public interest". They also revoke penalties for insults to authorities and national symbols as well as attacks on the honour of foreign heads of state. The new legislation introduces clauses for cases of "real malice" and it includes changes to the "right to reply".

To read the full text of this alert in Spanish, see:
La FIP da la bienvenida a la eliminación de los delitos de prensa en Uruguay


Source:

International Federation of Journalists
International Press Centre, Residence Palace
Bloc C, second floor, Rue de la Loi, 155
1040 Brussels
Belgium
Phone: +32 2 2352207
Fax: +32 2 2352219
 

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More on this case

WPFC congratulates Congress for approval of bill eliminating crime of insult, decriminalising defamation 12 June 2009 WPFC urges House of Representatives to pass a bill decriminalising defamation 31 March 2009 Senate approves modifications to Press Law 6 January 2009 Government ministers sign bill to decriminalise various elements that limit freedom of expression 28 October 2008 Bill eliminating "insult to authorities" laws and decriminalising defamation welcome but needs improvements, says WPFC 23 July 2008 Government to introduce bill decriminalising "insult to authorities" and defamation, in line with freedom of expression coalition recommendations 9 July 2008

Uruguay

IAPA protests intimidation of journalist through Facebook 11 February 2011 IAPA labels call for imprisonment of journalist, seizure of his book a "surprising step backward" 10 August 2010 WPFC congratulates Congress for approval of bill eliminating crime of insult, decriminalising defamation 12 June 2009 IAPA condemns conviction of journalist 22 May 2009 See all alerts: Uruguay


 
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