The National Association of Journalists of Panama (CONAPE) asked the National Authority for Transparency and Access to Information (ANTAI) to reconsider the sanction applied to the digital medium, La Verdad, directed by Edmundo Dante Dolphy, for allegedly violating the Law of personal data protection.
According to CONAPE, it is evident that rule 81 of March 26, 2019, which regulates the protection of personal data, becomes a threat to the exercise of our profession, so we request that the measure be reconsidered.
We are convinced that this law becomes an obstacle to freedom of expression, limits the responsible and ethical practice of journalistic exercise, which through evidence, documents and sources verify the veracity of a news event.
This type of sanction sets a disastrous precedent and opens the door for anyone to attack a journalist by publishing public documents where their name appears.
As an organization we repudiate the appearance of this instrument, which exposes journalism to sanctions and intimidation when society deserves to be informed.
From CONAPE we will always advocate for responsible journalism in which there are spaces for rectification and correction; nevertheless; We cannot agree with the interference in the daily work of the journalist who will always be in good faith and with the commitment to enlighten and inform society.
