Madrid. (October/2022)

URUGUAY

«During this period, no events were recorded that affected the level of freedom of the press that prevails in the country. There are no legal restrictions that affect the citizens’ right to information or limit the activity of the media or restrict the free exercise of journalistic activity.

The exception is a 2017 law that provides for the criminalization of journalists, who can go to jail for reporting. The IAPA raised its concern because the law deviates from the country’s tradition and conspires with all the progress made at the inter-American and universal levels so that the threat of jail against journalists does not hang.

Public debate has been affected by political polarization and by messages on social networks that have contaminated or complicated the information spectrum and discussion. Certain practices have proliferated, such as anonymity, lack of legal responsibility, disrespect for privacy and the dissemination of fundamentalist and discriminatory messages.

The dilemma is that this political-partisan and ideological struggle is intended to drag freedom of the press. A serious risk, because it is notorious that in these discussions (in which complaints, accusations, false information and half-truths are observed), in addition to political leaders, journalists and organizations linked to information issues participate and militate.

It is not the task of the IAPA to judge or decide who is right or wrong. However, freedom of the press cannot be allowed to be used for purposes that do not conform to its basic purpose, for citizens to exercise their right to information.

The IAPA received a complaint from the renowned journalist, writer, and teacher Alfonso Lessa, who carries out investigative work as a result of which he has received threats in various ways, as well as specific warnings that could even have caused a car accident on August 19. Lessa, an investigative journalist for Channel 4, filed the complaint with the corresponding authorities, but so far they have not produced any results. This type of physical and direct warnings are not common in the country, which is why it causes special concern for the IAPA.»

This vice-presidency has acted on cases that were reported or made public. In collaboration with other members of the IAPA, such as Danilo Arbilla, questions and concerns were raised with the Presidency of the Republic, the Ministry of the Interior (Police), the Attorney General’s Office, and legislators».

Original text taken from the SIP website