Expression
On 26th April 2023, Panama's journalism organisations condemned a fine imposed on La Prensa newspaper for publishing a photo of the deputy and president of the ruling Democratic Revolutionary Party, Benicio Robinson. This is the second time that the state institution known as the National Authority for Transparency and Access to Information has fined a media outlet based on the disputed law on personal data. Such fines can deter journalists from publishing some material and potentially restrict freedom of the press.
On 2nd May 2023, Transparency International reported that Panama's press freedom situation is worrying due to the number of judicial cases against the media and journalists. For instance, digital media outlet Foco and the newspaper La Prensa have had their assets seized and have faced civil lawsuits filed by two former presidents. Transparency International indicated that there is increasing judicial harassment of journalists and media and fewer effective mechanisms remain to protect transparency, press freedom, and access to information.
@LibertCiudadana, Capítulo Panameño de @anticorruption, suscribe el pronunciamiento de la Coalición Por Panamá, organizaciones y movimientos por la transparencia y lucha contra la corrupción, ante el aberrante y contradictorio actuar de la @ANTAI, ante multa al diario @prensacom pic.twitter.com/U9TfEo0vkm
— Libertad Ciudadana (@LibertCiudadana) April 25, 2023