Government responds to condemnation of smear campaign against Panama journalists

Condemnation around the world  of a a smear campaign against Panamanian journalists produced a response Thursday May 12, from the Government.

On Tuesday the Inter-American Press Society (SIP-IAPA) called on the Panama government to investigate a series of smear campaigns against journalists.

The reply came in an email to AP ( The Associated Press) from State Secretary of Communication, Astrid Salazar.

The message said the government of President Ricardo Martinelli "has reiterated its commitment to freedom of expression and the right to access information, and supports the practice of responsible journalism – the cornerstone of any democratic system."

Any journalist who feels persecuted, "has the right" to speak up and the government confirms that "no member of the Cabinet or directors of public institutions have filed legal action against any journalist or communications media."

Miami based SIP-IAPA, said on Tuesday that the aim of the recent smear campaigns in Panama against journalists was "to erode the credibility of the press" representing a "serious rift in freedom of expression."

Several Panamanian journalists, including an editor of the newspaper La Prensa, Lina Vega Abad, have been insulted and discredited in videos posted anonymously on YouTube and in  television advertising, according to SIP-IAPA in a press release.

The messages called into question the professional and personal background of de Vega Abad. "It is clear that journalists are discredited with the aim of damaging their reputations and thus eroding their credibility in society," said SIP-IAPA president, Gonzalo Marroquín.