Journalists in Argentina had plenty to say last week about their sour relationship with the country's political leaders -- and the problems that threaten the profession from within.
Ecuador's National Assembly approved on Friday, June 14, the country's new Communications Law. The law, backed by President Rafael Correa, had 108 votes in favor, reported Spanish daily El Mundo.
The prohibition of the press from entering and covering the Venezuelan legislative body, which began a new session in February of this year. The situation, widely criticized by various organizations, is symptomatic of the tense state in which the country's media finds itself, even two months after elections put President Nicolás Maduro into power.
The Press Club of Mexico recognized on June 7, Freedom of Expression Day in Mexico, the work of Ana Lilia Pérez with the medal of "Defender of Freedom and Promoter of Progress"
On Wednesday, June 5, former President Hugo Chávez posthumously received the National Journalism Award Simón Bolívar, reported newspaper El Universal. Even though the award's jury celebrated Chávez for his "role in fighting lies and mediatic manipulation," the relationship between the former president and the country's private media outlets was always tense.
Following seven hours of debate, the city government of Buenos Aires on Thursday, May 30, passed legislation relating to the protection of press and civil liberties, AFP reported. The approved text states that "the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires guarantees the rights of all to freely search, express, receive and disseminate, through whichever manner they choose, information, opinions, ideas, and cultural demonstrations," AFP added.
The government of Ecuador will continue to push the Organization of American States, or OAS, to accept the reforms it proposed to the Inter American System on Human Rights and the Inter American Commission on Human Rights, or IACHR, according to newspaper La Hora.
In an interview with Reporters Without Borders, Mexican journalist Verónica Basurto Gamero, who has lived in exile since March, criticized the country's Mechanism to Protect Journalists, saying that two months of threats and harassment made her doubt the effectiveness of this government resource meant to help members of the press.
The restriction of information by government officials, journalists' safety and the telecommunications bill in Honduras are the main concerns worrying a committee from the Inter American Press Society, IAPA, visiting the country since May 27.
The State Court of Goiânia on Tuesday ordered journalist Luiz Carlos Bordoni to pay a $95,000 fine for damages against governor of Goiás, Marconi Perillo, reported news portal Terra.
An explosive was thrown in front of Venezuelan newspaper Panorama's building on May 27, reported the site La Patilla. No one was hurt and there were no damages.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro accused CNN en Español of inciting a coup d'etat in the country, reported newspaper El Universal. Maduro made the accusation during a speech broadcasted on Monday through TV channel Venezolana de Televisión (VTV).