Media and electoral judges meet on election gag rules

PANAMA MEDIA  representative’s met with Electoral  Tribunal judges on Wednesday to present proposals for the modification of several articles of the bill concerning sanctions to the media during elections.

They met with  Judges Eduardo Valdés Escoffery and Heriberto Araúz

The document suggest that article 409 of the current Electoral Code should be amended to eliminate the ability of the TE to close a media outlet that violates electoral rules.

However, it recommended that both the TE and the electoral prosecutor have the legal tools to order the removal of any electoral propaganda during the ban on such material.

On the proposal to make TE negotiate with media the rates for electoral ads, it suggested that radio stations and TV stations grant political parties and independent candidates a rate which will be fixed by “mutual agreement between parties”.