CHILE II
WHEREAS
a journalist was arrested and put on trial along with several executives of
Chilevisión, and the police have forcibly seized journalistic material
from that media outlet
WHEREAS
the reason behind these developments was the appearance of a public interest
story that reported that a judge’s integrity was compromised in a case
over which he was presiding, which led to his removal from the case and indeed
from his position on the Supreme Court
WHEREAS
the case against the journalist is in the hands of a judge who had previously
expressed public support of her colleague, which would indicate a form of
prejudice
WHEREAS
the courts have displayed a tendency to question the work of the press, which
has been reflected in situations such as those mentioned above and in recent
statements by the country’s highest-ranking judges
WHEREAS
this perception, in turn, encourages individuals involved in situations that
are covered in the press to resort to the courts to shield their actions and
make it more difficult for the people to know about them
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 express its profound
concern over several rulings and statements by the courts that are part of
an overtly hostile policy toward freedom of expression, a policy that unfortunately
has found clear precedent in the recent confiscation of books and, currently,
the forcible seizure of professional journalism materials and the arrest and
trials of journalists
to stress that the freedom
of speech is foremost among human rights and that it is precisely the obligation
of the judicial branch to provide the people with protection and guarantees
to ensure that these inalienable freedoms and rights will be honored.
questions
or comments?