PARAGUAY

WHEREAS
the government of Paraguay has enacted two laws that are regarded as restricting investigative journalism: Law 1728, known as the Transparency in Government Law and dubbed the "Gag Law" by the public; and Law 1682 governing private information

WHEREAS
faced with the reaction of public opinion and pressure from the IAPA, Congress and the executive branch have repealed the "Gag Law"

WHEREAS
there is a congressional initiative to amend Law 1682 so that its provisions will not adversely affect press freedom

WHEREAS
a bill has been introduced in Congress to replace the repealed "Gag Law," this time known as the Law of Free Access to Public Information, which preserves provisions that may adversely affect press freedom

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE IAPA RESOLVES
to express its satisfaction with the decision by Paraguay's Congress and executive branch to repeal the "Gag Law"

to evaluate the intention of lawmakers to amend the law governing private information so that its provisions will not adversely affect press freedom

to call upon Paraguay's public authorities and lawmakers to do away with all legislation at variance with freedom of expression and the practice of journalism, and abstain in future from introducing bills that adversely affect such freedoms.