New threat to Panama press freedom

The call by the National Assembly president, Sergio Gálvez, to introduce a "real and effective press law"  sent a shock wave through Panama media circles on Saturday April 13.

The move, from a man who has publicly described himself as a “sexual buffalo” and is regarded as a loose cannon by many observers, constitutes a "danger and decline" that could disrupt the freedom of expression and information, journalists' representatives warned .
Candanedo Rafael, president of the National College of Journalists (Conape), said the idea "is retrograde, since the country has made progress in the development of the right to information and freedom of expression."
Eduardo Quirós, Panama’s Vice President of the Commission on Freedom of Expression of the Inter American Press Association (IAPA), said: "When it comes to the power of press law, it seems that they are thinking of a censorship law. In an election season it would be the worst time to raise any possibility of legislating on the role to be played by journalists and the media,".
Galvez was the focus of media attention before Christmas when he used hundreds of thousands of dollars of government funds to hand out hams to his constituents in Chorillo. He was earlier condemned for remarks during the Colon Free Zone demonstrations in Ocober 2012 when he told opposition deputies to go to the cemetery and weep. Soon after a nine year old and two others were killed by security forces.