Electoral reforms “mocking of freedom of expression”

 PANAMA’S Commission on Electoral Reforms is making a mockery of the freedom of expression says The National Journalism Council (CNP).

It was responding to a proposal     to limit media reports on candidates before elections.

The measure was originally discussed by the commission in August, but the Tribunal Electoral judges agreed not to endorse the proposal at a meeting with the CNP in November.

However, at its meeting  on Thursday December 17 , the commission voted to approve the measure, which would prohibit media from reporting on parties or candidates from the time that the tribunal bans political advertising, which is typically a few days before an election.

The CNP said that the ban should be applied exclusively to advertising, as the restriction limits the media’s ability to inform the electorate.

“The public has the right to relevant information for them to make an informed decision when they exercise their right to vote,” the CNP said in a statement released Friday.