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The Foundation for Press Freedom (FLIP) referred to and rejected the attacks by the senator and president of the Colombian Congress, Roy Barreras, against the media Semana and its director, Vicky Dávila.
The organization described the comments of the congressman for Gustavo Petro’s party as an attack on the practice of journalism. “They are an attack on the practice of journalism and go against his obligations as a public official,” it told FLIP.
Furthermore, FLIP explained that as a public servant, Barreras should not have made the comments. “Civil servants have limitations in their exercise of freedom of expression. According to the Constitutional Court ‘the right to freedom of expression, when exercised by public servants in their functions, has greater limitations than when exercised by a private individual’.”
Respect requested to the president of the Colombian Congress
“Taking into account the above, officials should move away from debates and discussions about the quality of information and editorial decisions. These should be raised between academia, the journalistic profession and civil society,” FLIP added.
The organization concluded, “We invite you, Senator Roy Barreras, to refrain from making comments that may be considered stigmatizing or that affect the work of the press.”
The situation arose after the weekly magazine published a cover story in which it reported the concern of the members of the health system in Colombia. The senator described the report as a possible “crime.”
Members of Gustavo Petro’s government, such as the Minister of Health, Carolina Corcho, have acknowledged the concern among health professionals about the changes that could take place under Petro’s socialist government.
“No one knows the details, but one thing is clear: the current system and one of its flagships, the EPSs, will be eliminated. It is not yet known how these vital components will be replaced, but many are already anticipating an unprecedented chaos,” explained Semana.
Williams Perdomo es periodista y escritor, especializado en las fuentes Política y Cultura.