Freedom of Expression
Ecuador
Legislation
111. On September 18, 2002, the Congress of Ecuador approved a series of reforms to the Law on Radio and Television. These reforms recognize the right of community radio stations to operate under the same conditions as commercial radio stations.[i] On November 7, 2002 the Law was published.
Judicial actions
112. In October 2002, the First Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice (Primera Sala de lo Penal de la Corte Suprema de Justicia) absolved Jorge Vivanco Mendieta, assistant editor of the Guayaquil daily Expreso, of criminal charges for insult and injury to honor in a case filed against him by Fernando Rosero, a deputy for the Ecuadorian Roldosista Party (PRE), in July 2001. This legal action was based on a report in which the journalist had criticized armed forces generals for not asserting their right of defense against Rosero’s accusations regarding the scandal surrounding the purchase of weapons from Argentina in 1995, when Ecuador was at war with Peru. In addition to the criminal suit, Mr. Rosero filed a civil suit for libel and insults, in which the deputy sought damages totaling USD $1,000,000. The civil action is currently pending a final judgment.[ii] Mr. Vivanco also reported that he received threats while waiting for the verdict in these cases and requested protection from the government.[iii]