The United States has expressed concern over the Ecuadorian National Assembly's passage of a communications law that could restrict freedom of the press and limit the ability of independent media to carry out its functions as a critical part of Ecuador's democracy.
As recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression. The Inter-American Democratic Charter, signed by the United States, Ecuador, and 32 other countries in the hemisphere, establishes freedom of expression as an essential component of representative democracy. Active, independent, and responsible media is critical for informing the public, U.S. State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki said in a statement on Tuesday.
While it remains to be seen how the new communications law, passed last Friday, will be applied in practice, it is important in a democracy that laws not have a suppressive effect on free speech, narrow the space for fair and unbiased reporting, or lead to self-censorship by the independent media, Psaki noted.
"In solidarity with the Ecuadorian people and government, as well as with other governments and stakeholders in the region committed to freedom of expression, we underline the importance of ensuring that the independent media is able to do its work without fear of reprisal or sanction," the statement added.
Respect for the fundamental freedoms of citizens - including freedom of expression and of the press - is critical in guaranteeing the vitality of this essential component of representative democracy, it noted.
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