La libertad de prensa en Latinoamerica es sistematicamente amenazada por los gobiernos populistas
Agencia EFE
La Corte Nacional de Justicia de Ecuador ratificó hoy la condena a tres años de prisión y a un pago de 40 millones de dólares (30 millones de euros) contra los tres principales directivos del diario El Universo y un exeditorialista, en el litigio seguido por injurias por el presidente del país, Rafael Correa.
El presidente de Ecuador, Rafael Correa, dijo hoy que la ratificación de la condena a los tres principales directivos del diario El Universo y un exeditorialista por injurias crea un precedente para toda América y supone un triunfo para la verdadera libertad de expresión.
En una rueda de prensa tras el fallo de la Corte Nacional de Justicia, que funciona como el Tribunal Supremo del país, dijo que la sentencia "pone coto al poder por encima de la ley".
"Esto va a cambiar la historia, van a entender que la libertad de expresión es de todos, no solo de los que tienen plata para tener una imprenta", afirmó.
Correa recalcó que el dictamen supone un precedente para todo el continente.
"Estas son las revoluciones que necesita nuestra América", que implican un cambio en las relaciones de poder, explicó el mandatario, quien dijo que el asunto debe abordarse en la Unión de Naciones Suramericanas (Unasur) y la ALBA.
Sociedad Interamericana de Prensa rechaza condena a diario ecuatoriano
Así luce la entrada a la página web del diario El Universo de Ecuador tras sentencia condenatoria.
Foto: Tomada de InternetOrganismo tildó de "grave zarpazo" a la libertad de prensa la sentencia contra jefes de El Universo.
La condena contra tres directivos y un ex editor del diario El Universo en Ecuador es un "grave zarpazo" a la libertad de información, estimó este jueves el presidente de la Sociedad Interamericana de Prensa (SIP), Gonzalo Marroquín. (Vea el comunicado completo)
El gobierno de Rafael Correa "continúa con su sistemática e intencionada campaña para acabar con la prensa independiente y establecer, por ley o por vía judicial, el patrimonio de la verdad que deben consumir todos los ecuatorianos", señaló Marroquín.
Los directivos y el ex editor del diario fueron condenados el miércoles por un juez ecuatoriano a tres años de cárcel y una multa de 40 millones de dólares tras una demanda por injuria planteada por Correa por una columna en el diario que lo calificó de "dictador".
El fallo es "un grave zarpazo a los más esenciales principios de la libertad de información", dijo el presidente de la SIP, con sede en Miami.
La SIP, de dueños y editores de medios de comunicación, mostró su extrañeza por la rapidez del proceso que culminó en la condena.
El organismo se solidarizó "con los periodistas y todo el personal de El Universo, a la espera de que en instancias superiores, la justicia sepa valorar el derecho a la libertad de prensa y de expresión de todos los ciudadanos por sobre los intereses personales de quienes detentan el poder", agregó Marroquín en el comunicado.
Marroquín dirigió una misión de la SIP que visitó esta semana Quito, para mostrar su preocupación por procesos judiciales y acoso contra medios de prensa y la concentración de medios en manos del gobierno.
En la capital ecuatoriana, la SIP no fue recibida por el presidente ni por representantes de la Asamblea Nacional, según señaló el grupo. Correa, enfrentado con un sector de la prensa, ha sido crítico de la SIP al considerar que representa solamente los intereses de los empresarios de los medios.
Diario abrió con página en blanco y adagio
El periódico abrió su edición de hoy jueves con una portada mayoritariamente en blanco y con una frase sobre las condenas de la novelista y filósofa rusa Ayn Rand.
El mandatario había exigido 80 millones de dólares y tres años de prisión para los hermanos Carlos, César y Nicolás Pérez, dueños del diario, y para el ex jefe de emisión Emilio Palacio.
Tras la decisión judicial, el diario abre su edición con la parte superior de su portada en blanco, en tanto que en la inferior, el titular "Condenados" antecede a una frase en negro atribuida a Rand.
"Cuando advierta que para producir necesita obtener autorización de quienes no producen nada; cuando compruebe que el dinero fluye hacia quienes trafican no bienes, sino favores; cuando perciba que muchos se hacen ricos por el soborno y por influencias más que por el trabajo, y que las leyes no lo protegen contra ellos, sino, por el contrario, son ellos los que están protegidos contra usted; cuando repare que la corrupción es recompensada y la honradez se convierte en un autosacrificio, entonces podrá afirmar, sin temor a equivocarse, que su sociedad está condenada", publica el rotativo.
Correa aplaude la decisión
Tras conocer la decisión del juez, Correa aseguró que se ha "marcado un hito, se ha hecho historia", publica el diario digital El Ciudadano.
Expresó que ojalá la sociedad reaccione con este ejemplo y luche por demandar a los medios de comunicación que, abusando de su poder mediático y su "patente de corso", injurian, calumnian y hacen política ilegítimamente, añade El Ciudadano.
Manifestó que lo que espera es que brille la verdad y lamentó que pese a los hechos el diario El Universo haya rechazado la sentencia mencionada contra su directiva.
"Que pague lo que tiene que pagar el diario y yo sabré a qué destino envío a esa plata (dinero), no me interesa un centavo, y peor de una persona como Emilio Palacio y los señores Pérez, eso irá a fines adecuados", puntualizó.
"Seguiremos luchando hasta que se agoten las instancias judiciales y cuando ganemos la instancia final tomaré la decisión que corresponda", dijo.
Tras conocer el fallo, en un comunicado, El Universo calificó el caso como "un atropello contra el principio universal de la libertad de expresión" y anunció que apelará la sentencia.
En cambio, Alembert Vera, abogado de Correa, dijo en el diario oficial El Ciudadano que "sí existe en el Ecuador en este día la verdadera defensa de la libertad de expresión, una libertad de expresión que consiste en que no exista el derecho al insulto".
El abogado afirmó además que analizará el hecho de que el juez otorgó solo la mitad de la indemnización exigida, para determinar "si amerita algún trámite judicial adicional".
En la audiencia el pasado martes, los directivos de El Universo, el diario tradicional de mayor tirada de Ecuador, ofrecieron a Correa publicar un texto que él considere pertinente como rectificación.
"Le ofrecemos que nos haga llegar el texto de la rectificación exigida para disponer su reproducción íntegra en El Universo, en el día y espacio que usted señale", afirma la declaración.
Correa rechazó la oferta, pese a que en el pasado había dicho que retiraría la querella si el rotativo corregía la columna.
"Al día siguiente debió presentar la rectificación el diario. Ustedes son testigos, cuántas veces les dijimos: 'Señores, rectifiquen', y (en) la carta de hoy tampoco dicen que van a rectificar, sino que dice: 'Publicaremos la rectificación que usted sugiera'", dijo el mandatario tras la audiencia.
Correa interpuso la querella contra El Universo en marzo pasado por una columna en la que Palacio aseguraba que durante un levantamiento policial el 30 de septiembre de 2010 él ordenó "fuego a discreción y sin previo aviso contra un hospital lleno de civiles y gente inocente".
El mandatario estuvo retenido gran parte ese día en el hospital policial y fue rescatado tras una operación llevada a cabo por fuerzas leales en medio de un intenso tiroteo.
EFEThe National Court of Justice of Ecuador today confirmed the sentence to three years imprisonment and a payment of $ 40 million (30 million) against the three top executives of the newspaper El Universo and exeditorialista in the proceedings for libel followed by the country's president, Rafael Correa.The president of Ecuador, Rafael Correa, said that ratification of the sentence of the three top executives of the newspaper El Universo exeditorialista libel and sets a precedent for the Americas and is a real triumph for freedom of expression.In a press conference after the decision of the National Court, which functions as the country's Supreme Court said the ruling "puts an end to the power above the law.""This will change history, you will understand that freedom of speech belongs to everyone, not just those with money to have a printing press," he said.Correa stressed that the ruling is a precedent for the entire continent."These are the revolutions that need our America," which involve a change in power relations, said the president, who said the issue should be addressed in the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) and the ALBA.Inter American Press Association condemns Ecuadorian newspaper rejects
This entry looks at the website of Ecuador's El Universo after conviction.
Agency described as "serious blow" to press freedom boss Case of The Universe.The sentence against three directors and a former editor of The Universe in Ecuador is a "serious blow" to freedom of information, estimated on Thursday the president of the Inter American Press Association (IAPA), Gonzalo Marroquin. (See the full release)The government of Rafael Correa "continues its systematic and deliberate campaign to destroy the independent press and to establish, by law or by judicial heritage of truth that should consume all Ecuadorians," said Marroquin.Managers and former editor of the newspaper were sentenced on Wednesday by an Ecuadorian judge to three years in prison and a fine of $ 40 million lawsuit after an injury posed by Correa by a column in the newspaper that called him a "dictator".The ruling is "a serious blow to the most essential principles of freedom of information," said the chairman of the IAPA, based in Miami.The SIP, owners and media publishers, expressed his surprise at the speed of the process that culminated in the conviction.The body was in solidarity "with journalists and the entire staff of The Universe, pending in higher courts, justice knows how to appreciate the right to freedom of press and expression of all citizens above the interest of those in power, "Marroquin said in a statement.Marroquin led an IAPA mission that visited Quito this week to show their concern about lawsuits and harassment of media and media concentration in the hands of government.In Ecuador's capital, the SIP was not received by the president or representatives of the National Assembly, as the group said. Correa, faced with a newspaper industry has been critical of the SIP to consider representing only the interests of entrepreneurs in the media.Journal opened with blank page and sayingThe newspaper opened its Thursday edition with a mostly blank cover and a sentence on convictions of the Russian novelist and philosopher Ayn Rand.The president had demanded 80 million dollars and three years in prison for the brothers Carlos, Cesar and Nicolas Perez, owners of the newspaper, and the former head of broadcast Emilio Palacio.After the ruling, the newspaper's edition opens with the top of the cover in black, while at the bottom, the headline "Condemned" precedes a black phrase attributed to Rand."When you notice that you need to obtain permission to produce those who produce nothing, if it finds that the money flows to those who traffic not goods but favors, when you notice that many get rich by bribery and influence rather than work, andthat the laws do not protect against them, but on the contrary, they who are protected against you, when repairing that corruption is rewarded and honesty becomes a self-sacrifice, then you can say without equivocation that your society is doomed, "reports the newspaper.Correa welcomes the decisionAfter hearing the judge's decision, Correa said he has "a landmark, has made history", reported the online newspaper The Citizen.He expressed hope that society reacts to this example and strive to sue the media, media abusing his power and his "carte blanche", insult, slander and make policy unlawfully added Citizen.He said that what he hopes is to shine the truth and regretted that despite the fact the newspaper El Universo has rejected that judgment against your policy."You pay what you have to pay the newspaper and I know what shipping destination that money (money), I do not care a cent, and worse of a person as Emilio Palacio and Mr. Perez, that will go right purposes" said."We will continue fighting until they run the courts and when we win the final instance will take the appropriate decision," he said.After hearing the verdict, in a statement, The Universe described the case as "an outrage against the universal principle of freedom of expression" and said he would appeal the sentence.Instead, Vera Alembert, Correa's attorney, said in the official newspaper The Citizen that "does exist in Ecuador on this day the true defense of freedom of expression, freedom of expression is that there is no right to insult ".The lawyer also said that discussed the fact that the judge granted only half of the compensation required to determine "whether it warrants some additional judicial process."At the hearing on Tuesday, executives of The Universe, the traditional newspaper with the largest circulation of Ecuador, Correa offered to publish a text as he considers appropriate rectification."We offer that you send us the text of the correction required to have its full play in The Universe, on the day and place you name," the statement said.Correa rejected the offer, although in the past had said he would withdraw the complaint if the newspaper corrected the column."The next day the correction should daily present. You are witnesses, how many times we said, 'Gentlemen, rectified', and (in) the letter of today say they will not rectify, but says: 'We will post the correction that you suggest, '"Bush said after the hearing.Correa filed a complaint against The Universe in a column last March in which Palacio claimed that during a riot police on September 30, 2010 he ordered "fire at will and without warning against a hospital full of civilians and innocent people."The president was retained much that day at the police hospital and was rescued after an operation conducted by forces loyal amid intense gunfire.
This entry looks at the website of Ecuador's El Universo after conviction.
Agency described as "serious blow" to press freedom boss Case of The Universe.The sentence against three directors and a former editor of The Universe in Ecuador is a "serious blow" to freedom of information, estimated on Thursday the president of the Inter American Press Association (IAPA), Gonzalo Marroquin. (See the full release)The government of Rafael Correa "continues its systematic and deliberate campaign to destroy the independent press and to establish, by law or by judicial heritage of truth that should consume all Ecuadorians," said Marroquin.Managers and former editor of the newspaper were sentenced on Wednesday by an Ecuadorian judge to three years in prison and a fine of $ 40 million lawsuit after an injury posed by Correa by a column in the newspaper that called him a "dictator".The ruling is "a serious blow to the most essential principles of freedom of information," said the chairman of the IAPA, based in Miami.The SIP, owners and media publishers, expressed his surprise at the speed of the process that culminated in the conviction.The body was in solidarity "with journalists and the entire staff of The Universe, pending in higher courts, justice knows how to appreciate the right to freedom of press and expression of all citizens above the interest of those in power, "Marroquin said in a statement.Marroquin led an IAPA mission that visited Quito this week to show their concern about lawsuits and harassment of media and media concentration in the hands of government.In Ecuador's capital, the SIP was not received by the president or representatives of the National Assembly, as the group said. Correa, faced with a newspaper industry has been critical of the SIP to consider representing only the interests of entrepreneurs in the media.Journal opened with blank page and sayingThe newspaper opened its Thursday edition with a mostly blank cover and a sentence on convictions of the Russian novelist and philosopher Ayn Rand.The president had demanded 80 million dollars and three years in prison for the brothers Carlos, Cesar and Nicolas Perez, owners of the newspaper, and the former head of broadcast Emilio Palacio.After the ruling, the newspaper's edition opens with the top of the cover in black, while at the bottom, the headline "Condemned" precedes a black phrase attributed to Rand."When you notice that you need to obtain permission to produce those who produce nothing, if it finds that the money flows to those who traffic not goods but favors, when you notice that many get rich by bribery and influence rather than work, andthat the laws do not protect against them, but on the contrary, they who are protected against you, when repairing that corruption is rewarded and honesty becomes a self-sacrifice, then you can say without equivocation that your society is doomed, "reports the newspaper.Correa welcomes the decisionAfter hearing the judge's decision, Correa said he has "a landmark, has made history", reported the online newspaper The Citizen.He expressed hope that society reacts to this example and strive to sue the media, media abusing his power and his "carte blanche", insult, slander and make policy unlawfully added Citizen.He said that what he hopes is to shine the truth and regretted that despite the fact the newspaper El Universo has rejected that judgment against your policy."You pay what you have to pay the newspaper and I know what shipping destination that money (money), I do not care a cent, and worse of a person as Emilio Palacio and Mr. Perez, that will go right purposes" said."We will continue fighting until they run the courts and when we win the final instance will take the appropriate decision," he said.After hearing the verdict, in a statement, The Universe described the case as "an outrage against the universal principle of freedom of expression" and said he would appeal the sentence.Instead, Vera Alembert, Correa's attorney, said in the official newspaper The Citizen that "does exist in Ecuador on this day the true defense of freedom of expression, freedom of expression is that there is no right to insult ".The lawyer also said that discussed the fact that the judge granted only half of the compensation required to determine "whether it warrants some additional judicial process."At the hearing on Tuesday, executives of The Universe, the traditional newspaper with the largest circulation of Ecuador, Correa offered to publish a text as he considers appropriate rectification."We offer that you send us the text of the correction required to have its full play in The Universe, on the day and place you name," the statement said.Correa rejected the offer, although in the past had said he would withdraw the complaint if the newspaper corrected the column."The next day the correction should daily present. You are witnesses, how many times we said, 'Gentlemen, rectified', and (in) the letter of today say they will not rectify, but says: 'We will post the correction that you suggest, '"Bush said after the hearing.Correa filed a complaint against The Universe in a column last March in which Palacio claimed that during a riot police on September 30, 2010 he ordered "fire at will and without warning against a hospital full of civilians and innocent people."The president was retained much that day at the police hospital and was rescued after an operation conducted by forces loyal amid intense gunfire.
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