Panama court freezes La Prensa’s assets amid defamation suit by former president
Panamanian authorities should immediately restore Corporación La Prensa’s access to its financial assets, and ensure that legal actions do not censor the press.
Draft bill sparks concern over state interference in media content
IAPA has condemned a legislative draft bill that seeks to oblige privately-owned news media to circulate educational and cultural messages.
IAPA protests actions against journalists in Panama, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina
The Inter American Press Association is urging authorities in Panama, Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina to investigate cases of intimidation of journalists in those countries that are seriously restricting press freedom.
IAPA protests actions against journalists in Panama, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina
The Inter American Press Association is urging authorities in Panama, Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina to investigate cases of intimidation of journalists in those countries that are seriously restricting press freedom.
Panama urged to release Dutch journalist detained over fraud and corruption reports
Dutch journalist Okke Ornstein was detained and arrested upon arriving at Panama’s Tocumen International Airport on 15 November. He is facing a 20-month sentence for libel and slander in relation to articles he posted on his blog.
Panamanian paper fined over article published in 2001
The newspaper Panamá América has been ordered to pay $25,000 to former Supreme Court Justice Winston Spadafora. The former judge felt offended and sued the newspaper and two of its journalists over a news item published in 2001.
Panamanian newspaper fined for causing “emotional distress”
The Inter American Press Association has declared that a recent court ruling against the Panama newspaper La Prensa is a clear attack on freedom of the press.
Newspapers must pay damages to Panamanian naval company for “moral harm”
Five journalists and the publishing companies of newspapers La Estrella de Panamá and El Siglo were sentenced to pay high-level damages and face criminal charges for reports about alleged wrongdoing involving the Health Ministry and a naval services company.
TV station in Panama suffers prolonged cyber attack
The Inter American Press Association has condemned an attack on the website of Panama’s TVN-2 television channel and urged the local authorities to conduct a prompt investigation. Executives of the channel publicly reported that its website tvn-2.com has been the object of prolonged and continuous cyber attacks since April 17.
Copyright policies threaten internet use in Panama and Colombia
After years of being one of the most progressive regions in the world in terms of balanced copyright policy, Latin America is unfortunately sliding into copyright maximalism, enacting increasingly restrictive copyright enforcement measures into their federal laws.
Journalists’ sentence confirmed in libel case in Panama
The First Court of Justice ratified a 2009 sentence imposed by a lower court on the news company Editora Panamá América and reporters Jean Marcel Chéry and Gustavo Aparicio in a civil lawsuit claiming “damage to reputation” filed by Winston Spadafora, who was also a Supreme Court justice.
Radio commentator who spoke out against corruption assassinated in Coclé
Darío Fernández Jaén, a former governor of the province of Coclé, had reported on alleged land title irregularities via a programme on his radio station, Radio Mi Favorita.
IAPA asks government to take action on campaigns to discredit journalists
A number of journalists have been the subject of insults and a campaign to slur their reputations in videos posted anonymously on YouTube and in television ads.
Expulsion of two Spanish journalists deals blow to freedom of expression
Spanish journalists Paco Gómez Nadal and Pilar Chato agreed under pressure to be repatriated 48 hours after being arrested during a demonstration.