In response to criticism from journalists and media outlets, the Colombian government said a proposed law that punishes officials who leak confidential information will not affect the media and that journalism issues have their own jurisdiction, El Tiempo reports.
After years of proposed transparency laws that went nowhere, a freedom of information act is gaining momentum in Brazil, where newly elected President Dilma Rousseff is expected to finally sign such a law on May 3, World Press Freedom Day, according to Brazilian media like Valor and acritica.com. What's more, once it has an information access law in place, Brazil is expected to join the United States in leading an international transparency campaign, Valor said.
Colombian journalists and media outlets are concerned that a newly proposed intelligence law would punish public officials who leak information to the press and lead to censorship, RCN Radio reports.
Venezuela’s National Journalism Guild (CNP) and the National Press Workers’ Syndicate (SNTP) denounced a series of threats to freedom of expression from President Hugo Chávez’s government, highlighting the increasing lack of access to public information and impunity for crimes against journalists, El Universal reports.
Mexican journalist Alejandro Suverza was arrested in the Mexico City airport, allegedly carrying $57,000 inside packs of gum and other items, El Universal reports.
In an article published on its website, the Brazilian magazine Caras said its was being censored for covering the death of the Brazilian actress and writer Cibele Dorsa. A court order forced the magazine to unpublish excerpts of the suicide note that the actress had sent to the magazine before her death.
A new digital portal in Bolivia is aimed at discussing rights to information and communication, according to a website about democratic governance supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
In an unprecedented decision favoring transparency about the impact of drug trafficking, Mexico’s Federal Institute for Access to Information (IFAI) ordered the national intelligence service to furnish precise data on the number of people killed in clashes between authorities and organized crime groups, El Universal reports.
Candidates for Peru’s April 10 election have signed an agreement to guarantee access to public information, promote administrative transparency, and protect freedom of information if they are elected, the RPP radio network reports.
In recognition of the World Day against Cyber-Censorship, held March 12, the organization Reporters Without Borders gave out its annual award for online media and released a new list of countries named as "Internet enemies," including Cuba, reported the Associated Press and Telegraf.
Brazilian authorities have proposed a National Plan for Community Radio Concessions, with the aim of expanding community radio stations and facilitating the licensing process, according to the Communications Ministry.
The International Policy Center for Inclusive Growth of the United Nations Development Program and Mercado Ético released a report “Investigative Journalism: Themes for a South-South Debate,” that considers the role investigative reporting can play in developing countries.