The Inter-American Press Association (IAPA) stated “concern” by court order to seize material from the radio program Fishbowl (Blue FM). Through a text prepared in Miami, the organization considered that these episodes “put freedom of the press at risk by affecting the secrecy and anonymity of journalistic sources”.
In addition, he considered as “positive” that the intention to search Álvarez’s home and seize his cell phone was nullified. He also highlighted that the prosecution has recognized part of the judicial procedure as “unnecessary” and with “strategic errors.”
Carlos Jornet, president of the IAPA’s Committee on Freedom of the Press and Information, considered that “this case represents a subjugation of the legal and legitimate right to protection and confidentiality of journalistic sourcesa absurdity that carries the risk of intimidating other journalistic sources.”
For his part, the president of the IAPA, Jorge Canahuati, explained: “Although it is not the task of our organization to judge the editorial criteria of the media and journalists, it is up to us to pronounce ourselves in favor of the protection of the right to freedom of the press and the public to be informed without any kind of hindrance”.
Canahuati added that “the raid on the radio station to confiscate evidentiary materials It represented a disproportionate attitude on the part of Justice.. “Journalists are not auxiliaries of the Justice, nor are we prima facie criminals so that we are run over with forced measures that ignore the principles of freedom of the press.”
IAPA directors expressed concern about Law 19,580, which allows journalists to be criminalized for disseminating information. Too They asked the Uruguayan legislators to review the scope of this rule in case of application against the media and journalists..
The IAPA is a non-profit entity dedicated to the defense and promotion of freedom of the press and expression in the Americas. It is comprised of more than 1,300 publications from the Western Hemisphere; and is based in Miami, United States.
