Minister climbs down after threat to journalist

After a  reported rebuke from President Ricardo Martinelli,  Panama’s Minister of Labor offered an apology  for her remarks  on television when she threatened a La Prensa reporter.

The apology surfaced Friday , June 14 in the wake of reports in La Prensa that raised questions about a program in the ministry headed by Alma Cortés

She said that she will  now have the tolerance and patience to address journalists, "to give you the answers that you like."

The minister said she lashed out against the La Prensa reporter because she felt  as if she was "under siege."

 "I've noticed that I must be more of a collaborator" Cortés told The Narional Council of Journalists.  

The relationship between the current administration and the media has been rocky at times, and the latest outburst  was one  in a series of incidents in which government officials have attacked the press.

A national dialog to discuss the issue has been planned  and  will be moderated by the archbishop of Panama,  who, after the Cortes outbust,  called for a more civil discourse from government  officials