NewsWhore
06-15-2010, 02:30 PM
Fernando Hasbun and Alicia Ortega, producers of El Informe de Alicia and other Grupo SIN news shows on Antena Latina, Channel 7, have generated widespread support in press circles after they revealed that their advertisers had been sent legal notices threatening lawsuits if they sponsored any shows where Dominican Agrarian Institute director Hector Rodriguez Pimentel could be defamed.
An editorial in today's Hoy newspaper states that if this recourse passed in court, it would be a tragic precedent for freedom of speech. "The right for an apology in court by any person, when the offense is proven, cannot have as consequence censorship and economic reprisals," editorializes the newspaper.
As reported in Hoy, Miguel Angel Prestol, dean of law at the O&M University confirmed there was no legal base for a suit action as threatened by Rodriguez Pimentel.
Rafael Molina Morillo, director of El Dia and former president of the Inter-American Press Association, said that Rodriguez Pimentel's action was absurd and ridiculous. He said that government officials are subject to public scrutiny and their actions need to be accountable to society. He advised the producers not to be afraid and to continue with their aggressive search for the truth.
The Dominican Alliance Against Corruption encouraged the producers of El Informe to resist this sort of intimidation because they have public support. Adocco praised the work done by the program in revealing corrupt acts that would otherwise be unknown.
Hoy reports that Rodriguez Pimentel explained his actions by saying that he decided to make advertisers aware of the situation that affects his reputation. He maintains that the investigative reports have not been able to contribute any proof against him in court.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#6)
An editorial in today's Hoy newspaper states that if this recourse passed in court, it would be a tragic precedent for freedom of speech. "The right for an apology in court by any person, when the offense is proven, cannot have as consequence censorship and economic reprisals," editorializes the newspaper.
As reported in Hoy, Miguel Angel Prestol, dean of law at the O&M University confirmed there was no legal base for a suit action as threatened by Rodriguez Pimentel.
Rafael Molina Morillo, director of El Dia and former president of the Inter-American Press Association, said that Rodriguez Pimentel's action was absurd and ridiculous. He said that government officials are subject to public scrutiny and their actions need to be accountable to society. He advised the producers not to be afraid and to continue with their aggressive search for the truth.
The Dominican Alliance Against Corruption encouraged the producers of El Informe to resist this sort of intimidation because they have public support. Adocco praised the work done by the program in revealing corrupt acts that would otherwise be unknown.
Hoy reports that Rodriguez Pimentel explained his actions by saying that he decided to make advertisers aware of the situation that affects his reputation. He maintains that the investigative reports have not been able to contribute any proof against him in court.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#6)