Panama’s signal to the world

The Nation seeks political leadership and democratic commitment. This week, the country’s reputation reissues the worst signals to the world. The international media and the organizations that watch over freedom of expression in the hemisphere have received a new alarm: a politician, dissatisfied with the coverage that a newspaper made of a judicial process, can calmly compromise the survival of that media outlet, putting a bond to hijack its funds and assets.

 Panama has already been warned, repeatedly, that our legislation is decades behind in terms of the minimum standards that guarantee freedom of expression, of the press, and of information. Does the Government intend to adapt our legislation to the evidence that the actions of one of its former presidents has made evident?  

Regardless of the basic decision of the courts, our country needs to strengthen and promote the search for information, transparency and the dissemination of ideas that strengthen democracy. Today the attack is against La Prensa. Tomorrow it will be against any means of communication that inconveniences the political, economic or those that have filled their pockets with public funds. LA PRENSA, Jul 8