Journalism and Pepe

Below are the 10 principles adopted by the 1994 Chapultepec Declaration, to which Honduras is a signatory: 1. No people or society can be free without freedom of expression and of the press. The exercise of this freedom is not something authorities grant, it is an inalienable right of the people. 2. Every person has the right to seek and receive information, express opinions and disseminate them freely. No one may restrict or deny these rights. 3. The authorities must be compelled by law to make available in a timely and reasonable manner the information generated by the public sector. No journalist may be forced to reveal his or her sources of information. 4. Freedom of expression and of the press are severely limited by murder, terrorism, kidnapping, intimidation, the unjust imprisonment of journalists, the destruction of facilities, violence of any kind and impunity for perpetrators. Such acts must be investigated promptly and punished harshly. 5. Prior censorship, restrictions on the circulation of the media or dissemination of their reports, forced publication of information, the imposition of obstacles to the free flow of news, and restrictions on the activities and movements of journalists directly contradict freedom of the press. 6. The media and journalists should neither be discriminated against nor favored because of what they write or say. 7. Tariff and exchange policies, licenses for the importation of paper or news-gathering equipment, the assigning of radio and television frequencies and the granting or withdrawal of government advertising may not be used to reward or punish the media or individual journalists. 8. The membership of journalists in guilds, their affiliation to professional and trade associations and the affiliation of the media with business groups must be strictly voluntary. 9. The credibility of the press is linked to its commitment to truth, to the pursuit of accuracy, fairness and objectivity and to the clear distinction between news and advertising. The attainment of these goals and the respect for ethical and professional values may not be imposed. These are the exclusive responsibility of journalists and the media. In a free society, it is public opinion that rewards or punishes. 10. No news medium nor journalist may be punished for publishing the truth or criticizing or denouncing the government. The struggle for freedom of expression and of the press is not a one-day task; it is an ongoing commitment. It is fundamental to the survival of democracy and civilization. Not only is this freedom a bulwark and an antidote against every abuse of authority, it is society's lifeblood. To Defend it is to honor history and truth. At best, it would appear Mr. Lobo has neither understanding of nor appreciation for the Fourth Estate. At worst -- and more likely -- he may be trying to silence it.

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