Panama
Journalists protest reforms in Panama CityPosted Mar 25 2007
In a massive protest against the National Assembly of Deputies on Feb. 14, journalists objected to articles 187 and 189 in the upcoming election. Protestors say these articles, which will soon be voted on, will threaten journalism. In addition, they want article 422 to be modified. Article 422 states that any civil employee to regular person could blame a journalist for using information that he or she deems “reserved”. This means that a journalist can't write or say anything about a third person without his or her consent. In conjunction with Article 422, articles 187 and 189 punish spreading of “reserved” material with imprisonment. The journalists feel that if these articles are added to the Panama Penal Code, it would be a serious detriment to their freedom of expression.