Defamation in Latin America: A CPJ Primer

Criminal defamation cases and news documented by CPJ

2004

MEXICO: CPJ condemns criminal defamation law in Chiapas state
Versión en español
Versão em português
POSTED June 15, 2004

GRENADA: CPJ sends letter to prime minister about intimidation of local media
Versión en español
Versão em português
POSTED June 9, 2004

PANAMA: Journalist forced to submit to questioning in criminal defamation case
Versión en español
Versão em português
POSTED March 24, 2004

COSTA RICA: CPJ submits brief to Inter-American Court of Human Rights
Versión en español
Versão em português
Read the Amicus Brief in English and Spanish (PDF, 3.2 MG)
POSTED February 11, 2004

ECUADOR: CPJ concerned about journalist convicted of criminal defamation
Versión en español
Versão em português
POSTED January 28, 2004

2003

PANAMA: Judge overturns decision barring journalist from leaving country
Versión en español
Versão em português
POSTED October 29, 2003

VENEZUELA: CPJ condemns Supreme Court ruling
Versión en español
Versâo em português
POSTED July 30, 2003

CHILE: TV commentator cleared of "disrespect" charges
Versión en español
POSTED April 4 , 2003

MEXICO: CPJ protests detention and criminal prosecution of journalist Isabel Arvide
Versión en español
POSTED March 7, 2003

PANAMA: Judge orders journalist to serve jail time
Versión en español
POSTED February 28, 2003

COSTA RICA : Inter-American Court to hear criminal defamation case
Versión en español
POSTED February 26, 2003

CHILE: TV commentator convicted of "disrespect"
Versión en español
POSTED February 5, 2003

2002

BRAZIL: Journalist charged with criminal defamation
Versão em português
POSTED September 13, 2002

MEXICO: Journalist charged with criminal defamnation
POSTED August 19, 2002

UNITED STATES: Publisher and editor are convicted of criminal defamation
Versión en español
POSTED July 18, 2002

PANAMA: Journalist goes on trial for defamation
POSTED May 13, 2002

MEXICO: Publisher faces criminal defamation charges
POSTED May 10, 2002

CHILE: Executive branch pledges to reform criminal defamation laws
Versión en español
POSTED May 7, 2002

PANAMA: Authorities seek strict press licensing regime
Versión en español
POSTED April 11, 2002

2001

ARGENTINA: CPJ awardee presents case to Inter-American Commission on Human Rights
Versión en español
Posted November 15, 2001

COSTA RICA: Inter-American Court of Human Rights grants relief to local paper
Versión en español
Posted October 3, 2001

BRAZIL: Journalist murdered on eve of scheduled testimony in defamation case
Versión en español
Posted August 27, 2001

VENEZUELA: CPJ alarmed by Venezuelan high court "truthful Information" ruling
Versión en español
Posted June 21, 2001

CHILE: President ratifies press law that repeals "disrespect" statute;
CPJ concerned over certain provisions
Versión en español
Posted May 25, 2001

MEXICO: Former mayor files criminal defamation charges against journalists
Posted May 22, 2001

COSTA RICA: Inter-American Court of Human Rights may intervene in criminal defamation case
Posted May 21, 2001

PANAMA: Journalist's criminal defamation trial starts tomorrow
Posted May 15, 2001

CHILE: Congress repeals "disrespect" statute
Versión en español
Posted April 20, 2001

CHILE: CPJ submits amicus brief in Matus criminal defamation case
Versión en español
Posted March 23, 2001

CUBA: Jailed journalist released
Versión en español
Posted March 23, 2001

CUBA: Independent journalist released after two years in jail
Versión en español
Posted January 18, 2001

2000

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International conventions and declarations

"Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers."

-- ARTICLE 19 of the UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

ARTICLE 4 of the American Declaration on the Rights and Duties of Men

ARTICLE 13 of the American Convention on Human Right

UNESCO Declaration of Sana'a

Joint Declaration UN Special Rapporteur on Opinion and Expression,
OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media,
OAS Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression

Joint Declaration on Freedom of Expression

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Organization of American States

Organization of American States

Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression

Report on "Disrespect" Laws

Declaration on Principles of Freedom of Expression

Inter-American Commission on Human Rights

CPJ NEWS: OAS Human Rights Commission issues press freedom declaration
Posted October 26, 2000 Versión en español

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National Laws

PRESS LAW DATABASE (Inter American Press Association, Chapultepec Project)

Click here for legal developments documented by CPJ.

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Legal decisions and briefs