Free speech in Latin America

Three prestigious experts in press freedom offered a conference at CADAL's office in Buenos Aires, where the following reports were launched “Indicadores de Periodismo y Democracia en América Latina: Primer Semestre 2009” (Local Level Journalism and Democracy Indicators in Latin America: First Semester 2009) and “Con crónicas sobre Cuba, los blogueros ofrecen nueva esperanza” (With chronicles on Cuba, bloggers offer a new hope), in charge of Fernando J. Ruiz and Carlos Lauría, respectively. Besides, Andrés Cañizález referred to the situation of freedom of expression in Venezuela.

Three prestigious experts in press freedom offered a conference at CADAL's office in Buenos Aires, where the following reports were launched Indicadores de Periodismo y Democracia en América Latina: Primer Semestre 2009 (Local Level Journalism and Democracy Indicators in Latin America: First Semester 2009) and “Con crónicas sobre Cuba, los blogueros ofrecen nueva esperanza” (With chronicles on Cuba, bloggers offer a new hope), in charge of Fernando J. Ruiz and Carlos Lauría, respectively. Besides, Andrés Cañizález referred to  the situation of freedom of expression in Venezuela.

In his last research report, published by CADAL and Universidad Austral, Ruiz referred to: the strong renewal of the regulatory frame and a higher political decision in its enforcement; the overflow of violence by organized crime in Mexico and Central America; the lack of evaluation of internal censorship; Local management of state media as a democratic test of the communications policy of a government; problems of media concentration; and the great quantity of agressions to journalism by social sectors. Ruiz is professor at Communications College of Universidad Austral and member of CADAL's Academic Council.

On his turn, Lauría with María Salazar Ferro, made a report published by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) where they point out that "a vibrant culture of independent bloggers is emerging in Cuba. Journalistic blogs are exploring important economic and social subjects". The authors also wonder: "Will there be a crackdown by the Cuban government or is this the dawn of a new era?". Lauría, Americas Coordinator of CPJ and member of CADAL's Academic Council, presented the report during the conference.

The event finished with an analysis on the situation of freedom of expression in Venezuela in charge of Andrés Cañizalez, professor at Universidad Católica Andrés Bello and member of CADAL's Academic Council.