Bolivian press against new electoral law

Posted by Clara Martínez Turco on July 27, 2010 at 9:12 PM

Four Bolivian organisations, which represent newspapers, journalists and editors, have requested the derogation of the recently approved electoral law as it violates the Constitution and threats freedom of speech, the Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas reported yesterday.

The law, signed on June 30 by President Evo Morales, does not allow candidates to the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Tribunal to give interviews and limits media from publishing electoral polls. According to EFE, it also prohibits the publication of partial results and documents that have not been approved by the Electoral Power.

The National Press Association, the National Journalist Association of Bolivia, the Bolivian Association of Radios and La Paz Association of Journalists said in a joint press release that they only recognise press law approved in 1925 and rejected governmental pressure towards media and journalists.

Although the electoral law has been widely criticised by the press and opposition parties, politicians close to Morales have replied by saying "media owners should not confuse interests with rights," ElTiempo.com.ec informed.