Three journalists from TV station Canal 9 in Paraguay, and the ex-director of the National Television System (SNT in Spanish), Ismael Hadid, are on trial for defamation and libel, according to the newspaper ABC of Paraguay.
While violence against the press in Paraguay is nowhere near the levels found in Mexico, Honduras, or Colombia, journalists in the country have little support and face daily risks, especially those in border regions controlled by international smuggling gangs, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) writes in its report “Journalists alone facing trafficking."
"You cannot curtail the right of information and of the media to investigate," said judge Manuel Aguirre during the ruling issued Thursday, June 30. The judge argued that the role of the media is fundamental for democracy, explained ABC Digital.
Just as journalistic organizations in Ecuador and Paraguay are complaining about the use of laws against the press aimed at silencing journalistis, the Inter American Press Association (IAPA) released a statement expressing concern about the "deterioration of freedom of expression and press freedom on the American continent," reported La Prensa.
Paraguayan journalist and radio announcer in Ciudad del Este, Carlos Bottino, has filed suit against the governor of Alto Paraná, Nelson Aguinagalde, accusing him of threatening the journalist with death, reported Última Hora.
ABC newspaper reports that its journalist, Jorge Torres, is being sued for defamation, libel, and slander for stories alleging misuse of funds by a federal agency in Paraguay.
Paraguay journalism groups have denounced what they call the “persecutory attitude” of the management at Canal 9 TV Cerro Corá in their actions against its employees, which came to a peak when the station abruptly canceled a news show after 17 years on the air, Paraguay.com reports.
The Paraguayan Congress has ratified a controversial bill that imposes restrictions on community radio stations, rejecting President Fernando Lugo's veto, according to the news agency EFE.
Last year, ABC Digital - the online edition of ABC Color newspaper – developed a space for users to send their stories and photos, with allegations, announcements, claims, and complaints. Today, more than 25 stories are submitted by citizens daily. We have enough content to publish one an hour, and we have designed a “Positive Stories” section for readers to submit untold stories of courage, good deeds by the authorities, and acts of good citizenship.
Bolivia's presidential spokesman, Iván Canelas, accused the editor of the Paraguayan newspaper ABC Color, Aldo Zuccolillo, and a Paraguayan senator of helping the ex-governor of Tarija, Mario Cossío Cortez, flee the country, reported the newspapers Los Tiempos and Opinión.