The Guatemalan Journalists Association (APG) published a statement on August 10 demanding respect for the practice of journalism, expressing concern and condemning attempts by various sectors to limit the work of the press in the country.
According to the statement, the APG expresses its concern regarding recent attempts by various sectors to restrict the practice of journalism in Guatemala and points out that this is violating the fundamental right to freedom of expression, established in article 35 of the Political Constitution of the Republic of Guatemala.
“The APG reminds that the right to freedom of expression of thought is a constitutional mandate that cannot be restricted by any law or government provision. Any action against this right constitutes a crime. Therefore, the APG reserves the right to file the relevant complaints before the corresponding jurisdictional bodies, both nationally and internationally, to ensure respect for this fundamental right,” the statement reads.
It is noted that publications containing complaints, criticisms or accusations against public officials or employees for acts committed in the exercise of their functions do not constitute crimes or misdemeanors, according to the Law on the Expression of Thought and Article 9 of the Constitution.
“The APG demands that the necessary conditions be respected and guaranteed so that the press can carry out its work freely and without restrictions. Journalism is an essential tool for monitoring events that occur throughout the country and for strengthening democracy. Consequently, it urges the authorities to respect the credentials of journalists who cover various sources of information,” the document reads.
Condemn
The APG statement states that the entity regrets and condemns the recent incidents that have affected journalistic work in Guatemala.
“1. The complaint filed by the deputy of the Vamos party, Allan Rodriguez, against the journalist Juan Luis Font, director of the program “Concriterio”, for the crime of slander. This complaint, which is being investigated by the Metropolitan Prosecutor’s Office of the Public Ministry (MP), is an example of the attempts to silence the work of the press.”
“2. We strongly reject the proposal presented to the Nomination Committee of the Court of Appeals by the commissioner of the College of Lawyers and Notaries of Guatemala (CANG), Julio Velásquez, who seeks to restrict the work of the media under the pretext of “pertinent measures.” The CANG is not the Legislative Body, so with this type of action they are not only trying to limit freedom of the press, but they are also contradicting the current regulations governing the exercise of journalism.”
“3. Finally, the APG stands in solidarity with sports writers who have denounced the ban on access to sports venues by the National Football League teams. The demands of having more than five thousand followers on social networks and the prohibition of criticism of the teams, instead of respecting the Law on the Expression of Thought, are clear violations of freedom of the press.”
The APG calls on the Human Rights Ombudsman, Alejandro Córdova, to speak out in defense of individual and collective rights that are being violated in a nation that should be valued for its respect for democracy.
Media regulation
The discussion of the regulations of the Court of Appeals nomination committee was the central focus of the meeting held last Friday, August 9, in which the proposal of a commissioner stands out because it seeks to regulate the work of the media and change the way in which files are traditionally evaluated.
The document in question was prepared by Commissioner Julio Adrián Velásquez Aguilar, elected by the College of Lawyers and Notaries of Guatemala (Cang) promoted by the Unidos por el Derecho (United for Law) and the Platform of Professionals for Justice (Platform of Professionals for Justice).
His proposal has 27 articles and is being analyzed together with the one presented by the president of the nominating committee, Raúl Arévalo, rector of Universidad Internaciones.
During Friday’s session, the nominating committee managed to agree on the initial considerations of the regulations, as well as the first articles of its internal regulations that refer to the call with 48 hours’ notice and the way of calling the commissioners.
One of the articles proposed by Commissioner Julio Velásquez, of the CANG, focuses on the way in which the media works.
It is Article 25 of the proposed regulations, which is worded as follows: “Public and private entities that appointed or elected commissioners and that have their own or affiliated media outlets must respect the work, integrity and dignity of the members of the Nominating Committee.”
The article also adds: “Attacks and public statements against commissioners made by media outlets or those linked to public and private entities that elect or appoint members to the Nominating Commission may be reported and objected to by the commissioners to the President of the Commission so that he may take the pertinent measures as a guarantee of objectivity and respect for the members.”
Questioned about the substance of the article, Velásquez denied that it seeks to limit the work of the press. But he believes that “it should be regulated.”
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