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« S&P Upgrades Bolivia’s Credit Rating | Home | Study Shows Bolivia One of World’s 15 Mega-diverse Countries » Evo Asks for Media Election Restrictions to Be ChangedPosted: Matthew Grace on May 20 | Law & Justice, News Bolivian president Evo Morales has called on the legislature to draft a proposal to amend a law restricting the press and judicial candidates from free expression during elections. The Electoral System Act prohibits candidates from giving interviews to the media and provides for sanctions against the media that disseminate information other than what issued by the Electoral Tribunal. Journalists and unions have been protesting the law over the last several weeks, and had met yesterday in La Paz to express their displeasure. On October 16, Bolivians will elect 56 judges nationwide, from a list of 125 candidates. “Our obligation is to ensure freedom of expression, information, of participation, and here I want to create the means … [I have] listened to the analysts, the Bolivian people … I am suggesting to the legislature to amend Article 82 to strengthen and ensure the best information and participation of the Bolivian people in this unprecedented election,” Morales said yesterday. Paragraph 1 of Article 82 of the Electoral Act prohibits candidates from expressing opinions in public forums or media, radio and television programs, or to be interviewed. The penalty is disqualification. Paragraph II prohibits the media from disseminating various documents produced by the Electoral Body, referring positively or negatively to candidates, publishing opinions about the candidates, or giving a platform to any of the candidates. To learn more in Spanish see: http://www.la-razon.com/version.php?ArticleId=130696&EditionId=2534 |
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