Media laws at Paraguay
Paraguay's media laws are shaped by constitutional guarantees, statutory regulations, and recent legislative developments. Here's an overview of the current media legal framework in Paraguay:
📜 Constitutional and Statutory Foundations
Constitution of Paraguay (1992): Article 27 protects press freedom, stating that mass communication media are of public interest and cannot be closed or suspended arbitrarily. It also prohibits discriminatory practices in the provision of supplies to the press and interference with radio-electrical frequencies
Law No. 5.282 (2013) – Access to Public Information: his law guarantees citizens the right to access public information, promoting state transparency. It explicitly states that no provision of this law may be used to deny or limit freedom of expression, freedom of the press, or the exercise of journalism
Criminal Code: Articles 151 and 156 address defamation, slander, and libel, allowing for criminal prosecution upon the victim's request. However, the law permits the "truth defense" in cases of defamation and slander, provided the information serves public or private interests and is proportional to the circumstance
⚠️ Recent Legislative Developments
Establishing Control, Transparency, and Accountability of Non-Profit Organizations Act (2024):This proposed law would require NGOs, including many independent media outlets, to submit biannual financial reports to the Ministry of Economy and Finance and disclose their collaborators. Critics argue that it could threaten journalistic independence by imposing burdensome requirements on nonprofit media organizations
🛡️ Press Freedom and Journalist Safety
UNESCO Commitment In 2024, Paraguay signed a letter of intent to enhance journalist safety, establishing a National Inter-Institutional Commission comprising representatives from all three branches of government, the press, and civil society. The commission aims to develop policies and regulations to protect journalists from violence and ensure their safety.
Judicial Criminalization of Journalists Journalists in Paraguay have faced legal actions and threats for their reporting. For instance, journalist Fredy Chamorro was accused of harassment after revealing alleged irregularities in hospital management. Such cases highlight concerns over the potential misuse of laws to intimidate the press.
📱 Digital Media and Privacy
*Law No. 5.830 (2017) – Unauthorized Advertising on Mobile Phones: This law prohibits unsolicited commercial messages to mobile phones. It establishes a National Registry where individuals can register to opt out of receiving such messages, aiming to protect users from unwanted advertisig.
🧭 Conclusin
Paraguay's media legal framework reflects a commitment to press freedom, tempered by recent legislative actions that raise concerns about potential restrictions on journalistic independec. Ongoing vigilance and dialogue between the government, media professionals, and civil society will be crucial in ensuring that media laws continue to support a free and independent press.
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