Panama freedom of speech problems in world spotlight

(PanamaNewsRoom) Panama continues to garner international attention, but not always the kind that the country wants.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has joined  critics locally and from around the world over the weakening of freedom of expression in Panama.
Benoit Hervieu, head of RSF in the Americas, RSF warned that a recent law against the Panamanian press, was part of a sometimes tense relationship between "media and the government of Ricardo Martinelli."

This and other situations justified a lower position for Panama in the latest world press freedom list.
Hervieu’s statements came one week after the  resignation of  lawyer Ebrahim Asvat  as President of Estrella and El Siglo claiming pressure from Martinelli.
Meanwhile, Minister of the Presidency, Demetrio Papadimitriu, reiterated what Martinelli said on CNN on Thursday, January 27, when he claimed he was not aware of the pressures cited by Asvat. "He said one thing and the President said he has not applied any pressure. That is the end of an argument between the two, "he said.

T he Inter American Press Association (IAPA) published a report on the situation of freedom of expression in Panama, which detailing the concerns of the Catholic Church on the subject.
The document also mentioned the sale of three newspapers of the Editora Panama America group, and a brief account of the tragedy on January 9, in the Juvenile Enforcement Center, which  left five dead.

Also attached was the last column written by  Asvat, which accused the president, Ricardo Martinelli, of being a silent accomplice in the deaths at the center. The column,  Asvat claimed,  prompted the president to ask Abdul Waked, owner of La Estrella and El Siglo for his head.

After Martinelli’s denial on CNN, La Prensa unsuccessfully tried to contact Waked, through his secretary, to obtain his version of what happened.