Martinelli calls for positive media coverage

A few  hours after President Ricardo Martiinelli voiced his latest criticism of  the media, a government spokesman stepped out to explain that it was not an attack.

While  laying the first stone of the Polyclinic in  San Juan, in Colon province Marintlli said . "The media are silent" for failing to report the positive management of his government.

In a photo-op  ceremony  characterized by showers of praise for the president by Social Security Fund (CSS) and provincial authorities  Martinelli said it appears there is a guideline to show  that things do not improve in Panama. He saia that at the end of his administration there will bew and projects across the country that will benefit.It was reported that the new polyclinic in the CSS will cost $14 million.

Later in the day, after some negative interpretation  of Martinelli’s remarks State Communications Secretary Luis Eduardo Camacho, put the official spin on the remarks. And said the government does not want a "confrontation or with the media or journalists."  Camacho said the president did not attack the media. He twice mentioned he work of the media, but did not attack hem. He said that  after the speech the President again  addressed the issuewhen  interviewed by the media “and he said that all he asks is that the media which publishes things that are critical of the government, also give more prominence to the positive things that occur to give  the country a positive pulse. "For this reason,” said  Camacho, "the Government seeks no confrontation with the media or journalists."It is true that the Government should not be sensitive to criticism but it is also true that the media should focus on positive issues”.