Ecuador's Edward Snowden Problem

[struggle4progress]

Embracing the on-the-run leaker will draw attention to President Rafael Correa's dismal record on press freedom and transparency.
By David Corn
Mon Jun. 24, 2013 12:15 PM PDT

... The law would essentially allow Correa's government to criminalize journalism that inconveniences the president and his allies. HRW points out that human rights advocates generally oppose granting government the power to charge journalists with a crime for publishing derogatory information about public figures: "International bodies from the Inter-American, European, and United Nations human rights systems have long criticized the use of criminal charges to respond to media allegations made against public officials, as contrary to the interest of promoting vibrant public debate necessary in a democratic society." But that's what Correa's party has sought to do. Vivanco puts it this way: "Giving the government the power to decide whether or not information is 'truthful' will open the door to unlawful censorship. This is an especially alarming provision in a country where the president has a track record of using his powers to target critics in the press."

This is not Correa's first stab at media intimidation. In July 2011, an Ecuadorean court sentenced a reporter for El Universo, a newspaper based in Guayaquil, and three members of the paper's board to three years in prison for defamation because the paper criticized Correa. The reporter, Emilio Palacio, had written an opinion piece that referred to the president as a "dictator" for having considered pardoning people involved in a police rebellion that included an attack on a hospital. The criminal case was triggered by a defamation suit filed by Correa.

With the suit and the recent law, Correa has shown he's no fan of a free media and a vibrant national debate—at least not when he and his actions might be the focus. In its most recent ranking of international press freedoms, Reporters Without Borders scored Ecuador toward the bottom: "Ecuador fell 15 places to 119th after a year of extreme tension between the government and leading privately-owned media." In its annual report on Ecuador, Amnesty International notes that "there were concerns that laws dealing with the crime of insult were being used against journalists in violation of the right to freedom of expression and could deter other critics of government authorities from speaking out" and that "indigenous and community leaders faced spurious criminal charges aimed at restricting their freedom of assembly." And HRW has also assailed Correa for not respecting the due process rights of asylum seekers. (Snowden's standing as a persecuted refugee is far from certain.) ...

http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2013/06/edward-snowden-ecuador-rafael-correa

[frazzled]

1. And also Snowden's Ecuador problem

Not to mention Assange.

How can these buffoons be falling into the arms of Ecuadorean protection when Ecuador is one of the world's worst defenders of transparency and press freedom ... of freedom of speech? Supposedly the things they are fighting for.

Honestly, it boggles the mind.

[pscot]

2. Maybe Ecuador is a head fake

[freshwest]

3. Animal Farm. Native journalists don't count. Rock star ones do.

Their cases are not the same, for several reasons, but mostly because Ecaudor can yank a few chains abroad with granting asylum to Assange and Snowden.

They are among the elite in the western world so their lives are valued. Celebrities whether they in regular entertainment or media entertainment, and the story lines of these two gentlemen are like a Hollywood screen play, have fan bases and money from all kinds of sources that passes hands.

The working class reporter doesn't. The home grown journalists are of no interest to any other country, and no one will offer them a free ride. Western media won't hold these reporters up a heroes for being into telling the truth or freedom of the press in Ecaudor.

Because that's not what the Snowden and Assange media machines are about. If any of this was really about human rights, they'd give equal air time to these guys. But they won't. I see it as racism or elitism.

It's crude and ugly game being played. I'm not buying into the ideological titillation of this story, it's just another layer to get in the limelight. 'Look how important what this man is saying is! See how they are being pursued by the forces of evil! We must save them because they are going to save us all! Pant, pant!'

Sadly, I feel it is the person and their place in society that is being valued here, not freedom of speech. I'm just weighing the varied power of the players involved. Notoriety of any kind provides protection. Native reporters getting oppressed?

Western media looks at these flesh and blood people getting mistreated and blows a big wet raspberry. We won't see the names of these real reporters or sobbing over them in western media. No one is going to start a crusade, send donations or defend them.

Later.

[fasttense]

4. I find it fascinating how anyone who has supported Snowden is attacked

Sounds like the NSA corporate contractors have selected their moles well.

I support Snowden and I admire him very much.

Attack away.

[struggle4progress]

5. "Anyone who disagrees with me must be a paid troll!"

Oh, yeah, that's the way to build winning political coalitions ...

[freshwest]

6. *snort* It's not about Ecuador, good or evil. This is about a media circus, not principles.