Leading journalist critic of Martinelli remains unbowed

The resignation of s La Estrella and El Siglo president, Ebrahim Asvat, because of government pressure has not silenced the outspoken Harvard educated lawyer and journalist.

After his resignation, announced to the editorial staff  of the two newspapers on Thursday evening, Asvat wrote: "It's been nine long years of experience and challenges. I was never the subject of so much pressure over the exercise of freedom of expression as with the government of Ricardo Martinelli. His ‘Change’ is a grand farce.”

Earlier in the week in his column in El Siglo he had denounced Martinelli’s silence after the scandal of the fires  in the Juvenile Detention Center, which at the time had killed four teenager and left three others seriously injured. Since then a fifth youth has died and finally, after 13 days. the president broke his silence on Saturday with a broadcast on radio and TV.
Asvat was quick to respond. On Facebook he wrote: “Mourning the death of five teenagers and giving condolences to the family is not enough response. I was hoping he would confirm respect for the dignity of life which is violated by police and administrative authorities.”

On Friday, Adolfo Linares, former president of Panama’s Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture, also resigned from the Editorial Board of La Estrella and El Siglo.

"Upon learning of the circumstances surrounding the resignation of Dr. Asvat, I made the decision to abandon the Editorial Board of both media," said Linares in a note sent to the papers.
Meanwhile journalists, home and abroad have reacted to the resignation with concern: "Without any doubt this is a clear indication that shows Asvat must have touched very sensitive interests. Political scientists describe this as the evils of power, because freedom of expression is an individual right and  must not be manipulated, "said Panama’s Newspaper Council President, Guillermo Antonio Adames

Newspaper groups have been reporting a climate of increasing pressure on  the media and journalists, which has been reported to the American court of human rights.
Footnote: Newsroom  editor David Young, worked with Ebrahim Asvat for over two years, during the Asvat inspired resurrection of Panama’s oldest newspaper The Panama Star.  {jathumbnail off}