Martinelli continues attack on media. President Ricardo Martinelli, re

President Ricardo Martinelli, returned to the attack on Panama’s media during the Sixth Summit of the Americas in Cartagena, Colombia,

The president, as well as seizing the attention of international journalists to praise the organization of the summit, returned to lash out against the media in his country, this time without using the F word saying that media reports alleging corruption in his administration were false.

The outburst, on Sunday April 15, was the day before reports linking Italian Valter Lavolina with bribery in Panama appeared around the world.

Martinelli said that owners of media companies do not pay taxes, and the Executive's decision to insist on punishing tax evasion allegations were  made without evidence of corruption in his government.

Several journalistic leaders condemned the repeated attacks on media and warned Martinelli warned that the deterioration in freedom of expression in Panama is more than disturbing.