Flip flop on tourism post affects presidents credibility — commentators

The credibility of Panama's president, Ricardo Martinelli, comes into play when he gives an  opinion on a certain subject and then the presidency, through the Ministry of Communication  "reports that the president was misinterpreted."

The statement, reported in La Prensa came Saturday, May 21  from the  National Council of Journalism president Guillermo Antonio Adames. "A statements made by a citizen may not be important, but when the head of state makes it there are repercussions" he said."We must be very careful especially with the issue of credibility.” 

The statement came because because of conflicting versions about the future of the current administrator of the Panama Tourism Authority (PTA), Solomon Shamah.

On Friday afternoon the President announced that "a woman" will direct  the authority. Hours later (9:05 pm) the State  Communication Secretariat issued a statement in that said "Shamah is maintained in the ATP."
"The President clarified through this statement that his words did not mean that he has been considering at some point a change to the Minister of Tourism, Salomon Shamah.”,
 But beyond this particular case, says La Prensa, the incident drew attention because it  is not the first time something like this has happened. In the past, government officials have had to "explain" the Panamanian leader's statements.

 Milton Henriquez, president of the Popular Party (PP), said this is a "government that constantly contradicts itself." In addition to the contradiction between the President and his communications team “there is an administrative problem" that constitutes a "monumental mess, affecting the governance of all Panamanians."
 "There is no consistency or order" when a press release contradicts the statements given by the president of a country, he said.
Constitutional lawyer, Miguel Antonio Bernal said the actions of the government "evidence an attitude of mockery and disrespect, for journalists and the public, with the right to information [for all citizens] ".
According to Bernal, the Executive is trying to sell the idea "that journalists distort the statements emanating from the highest authorities."
“We cannot overlook, in the context of media manipulation practiced by the Executive, attacks on journalists through threats, extortion, and blackmail … nowcomes  the stage of diminishing the information that journalists report, based on statements made…
"The next phase will be toa ccuse them of slander or distortion, characteristic of authoritarian governments," he said Bernal.
On Saturday, May 14, Martinelli convened a national dialogue that seeks to discuss the issue of freedom of expression. The President requested the participation of the archbishop, José Domingo Ulloa, as mediator.
For conversations, the President urged the National Association of Journalists, the Union of Journalists and the National Journalism Council to appoint representatives at this table.
The dialogue call came after the national journalists' union denounced the existence of a smear campaign against jouralists.