Ecuador: End Assault on Free Speech [View all]

[Zorro]

The Communications Law that the Ecuadorian National Assembly approved on June 14, 2013, seriously undermines free speech, Human Rights Watch said today. The law includes overly broad language that will limit the free expression of journalists and media outlets.

The government had proposed a Communications Law in 2009 but it faced opposition in the National Assembly. The new National Assembly that formed in May with a majority of members from President Rafael Correa's political party approved a modified version of the original bill.

“This law is yet another effort by President Correa to go after the independent media,” said José Miguel Vivanco, Americas director at Human Rights Watch. “The provisions for censorship and criminal prosecutions of journalists are clear attempts to silence criticism.”

http://www.hrw.org/news/2013/06/14/ecuador-end-assault-free-speech