“ ‘A gag law in the 21st century.’ That’s how the Chilean Journalists’ Association described a bill introduced by senators from several political parties that would impose harsher penalties for disclosing information about criminal cases — without clearly defining who could be held criminally liable.
Rocío Alorda, president of the association, told the Senate’s Constitution Committee that the bill poses a direct threat to press freedom and the public’s right to information, both of which are protected under international human rights standards.
‘This bill doesn’t target the real problem — the state’s failure, particularly by the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the courts, to adequately safeguard case information in their custody,’ Alorda said. ‘Instead of improving internal controls, it seeks to punish the messengers,’ she added. ”
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