Punta Cana.-The spread of fake news and freedom of the press marked the beginning of the 81st General Assembly of the Inter-American Press Association (IAPA) being held in Punta Cana.
The president of the Inter-American Press Association (IAPA), José Roberto Dutriz, expressed concern about the growing deterioration of press freedom in the United States, a country historically considered a democratic model, and warned that this trend could have a “cascading effect” on the rest of the American continent.
During his opening speech at the 81st General Assembly of the IAPA, held at the Westin Punta Cana hotel, Dutriz affirmed that the attack by the US Government against the media and journalists reflects a “dangerous drift” that threatens the democratic foundations of the hemisphere.
“In the United States, a country historically considered a beacon of freedoms, we have observed with alarm a growing deterioration in the climate towards the press. The Government’s attack against the media and journalists, the use of lawsuits as an instrument of harassment and the threats to withdraw broadcasting licenses reveal a dangerous drift,” he warned.
A problem for everyone
The president of the IAPA emphasized that this is not an isolated or domestic problem, but rather has continental repercussions, given Washington’s role of political, economic and cultural influence throughout America. “What happens in Washington, let’s not fool ourselves, has a cascading effect throughout the rest of America,” said Dutriz.
Authoritarianism
Dutriz also harshly addressed the situation of press freedom in countries such as Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela and El Salvador, where – as he denounced – independent media are closed, journalists are persecuted and many have been forced into exile.
“Journalism has been criminalized; independent media are closed and persecution has led hundreds of professional journalists into exile. These cases starkly show how far states can go when they seek to control information and silence critical voices,” he lamented.
Newspaper Society
The president of the Assembly Host Committee and head of the Dominican Newspaper Society (SDD), Persio Maldonado, reaffirmed the country’s commitment to the responsible and free exercise of journalism, and took advantage of the occasion to call for the approval of a new communication law that modernizes the Dominican regulatory framework.
“We are very happy to receive you in this scenario that will serve to reiterate our responsibility in the exercise of journalism committed to the search for the truth, just at a time when the rise of misinformation makes the role of the media more relevant,” said Maldonado.
He recalled that the Communication and Digital Media Law Project is under discussion in the National Congress after having been submitted by the Executive Branch, and maintained that its approval would be an essential step to adapt the regulations to the current information ecosystem.
“We hope that your presence will motivate us to achieve a new modern and current law in the coming months, which reflects the reality of the digital ecosystem and guarantees freedom of expression,” he added.
Maldonado asked that the region’s political and business class understand the magnitude of the challenges facing the media.
The deputy secretary of the OAS, Laura Gil, highlighted the freedom of the press in the country, an achievement that she attributes to President Abinader’s commitment to free exercise.
IAPA Agenda
— Challenges
The 81st General Assembly of the IAPA brings together editors, journalists and academics from across the continent in Punta Cana to debate the contemporary challenges of journalism, with emphasis on press freedom.
