Journalists protest government threats to media figures

Panama journalists, from various media and guilds formed a human chain along Calle 50 at noon on Wednesday (Oct 20) to defend freedom of expression and protest government threats.

With signs in hand, journalists chanted "A journalist united will never be defeated."

The activity was organized in opposition to the threats made by top government officials to several media figures, and the sentences handed down by the Second High Court to journalists Sabrina Bacal, Justino González, and Rafael Antonio Ruiz.
The protesters also questioned the statement by Prosecutor-in-Charge, Giuseppe Bonissi, calling for the criminal prosecution of offenses against honor of government officials .
Joining the journalists in the demonstration were human rights activists,  academics, and politicians, including President of the Partido Popular (Popular party), Milton Henríquez.