Criminal defamation eliminated in Argentina

We issued the following statement today in response to Wednesday’s approval by the Argentine Senate of a government-sponsored bill that repeals criminal defamation provisions from the penal code…

“We commend Argentina’s authorities for passing this bill, which strikes down criminal sanctions for libel and slander,” said CPJ Senior Americas Program Coordinator Carlos Lauría. “It is an important step towards advancing free expression in Argentina, and a landmark decision in the campaign to repeal criminal defamation in the Americas,” added Lauría.