Midyear Meeting Los Cabos March, 12 - 15, 2004 Mexico

CHILE I

WHEREAS
laws that define “contempt” as a crime continue to be in effect

WHEREAS
the judiciary has assumed the authority to review in advance the contents of books, radio and television programs and theatrical productions

WHEREAS
Parliament has amended a privacy bill submitted by the executive branch, which in its current form constitutes a severe attack on journalism and press freedom as well as an extreme system of protection for government officials that is unmatched anywhere else on our continent

WHEREAS
the freedom of information has been effectively nullified by the manner in which the Probity Law’s provisions on this freedom have been regulated

WHEREAS
the Chilean Executive has expressed its willingness to eliminate all existing statutes on contempt and has taken the initiative to enhance privacy laws without harming the freedom of expression

WHEREAS
Principle 10 of the Declaration of Chapultepec states, “No news medium nor journalist may be punished for publishing the truth or criticizing or denouncing the government”

THE MIDYEAR MEETING OF THE IAPA RESOLVES

to demand that the Chilean Executive repeal all provisions on contempt that are still in effect and ask it to push for the elimination of provisions that allow the judiciary to assume the authority to review in advance the contents of books, radio and television programs and theatrical productions

to ask the Executive to repeal all regulations that effectively nullify the freedom of information

to urge the Executive to promote all appropriate measures to return the Privacy Law to its initial form, which enjoyed a consensus among all parties, or otherwise to veto the bill in question if it is passed by Parliament in the form currently under consideration in the Chamber of Deputies.