Press from 7 South American Countries Stand With EL UNIVERSO

According to ElUniverso.com seven press associations from South American countries stand with the Ecuadorian press organization, El Universo, condemning the attack on freedom of expression by Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa. On the 20th of July an Ecuadorian court found El Universo opinion editor and three directors guilty of slander against Correa, sentencing them to three years in prison and a fine of $40 million. In a public letter that rejects the sentences, media associations from Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Chile, Peru and Venezuela call the ruling an attack on freedom of expression. The letter published in El Universo states the presidents’ censure against El Universo can lead to drastic and disproportional results for people’s human rights and freedoms of expression. The letter goes on to say the press associations from the seven countries stand behind El Universo and hope that the justice system in Ecuador reverses their decision.Read Article