14 August 2009 (Chavez takes wrong turn on censorship)
Chavez or his supporters have proposed a law making it a crime to publish information judged false and judged to threaten the state. Such a law would be censorship and unjust. It sounds reminiscent of the charges made against journalists in Iran.
The law also makes it a crime for a publisher not to reveal the identity of an anonymous author. Even the failure to publish certain mandatory information is a crime. (Which information this applies to is stated elsewhere so I don't know what it is.)
Publishing inaccurate news reports is not good, but news is to some extent a matter of interpretation. The state and witnesses can claim information is false even if it wasn't, or can exaggerate the importance of minor points. To cite an alarmist right-wing ad as an example of what might be prosecuted is a further sign that this could mean prosecution for political opposition.
So this law invites censorship. Imagine what Bush would have done with such a law. It cannot be acceptable.
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário