‘It’s a poisonous cocktail’: How legal threats are being leveraged against journalists in Panama

On World Press Freedom Day, investigative reporter Mary Triny Zea reflects on restrictions to journalism around the world after Panama’s transparency office fines another media outlet.

By  and 

Panama’s public transparency office has caused outrage among the country’s journalists by penalizing a major newspaper for publishing both a photo of an elected official and information obtained through a public record request.

The National Authority for Transparency and Access to Information, known as ANTAI, fined La Prensa — an ICIJ partner — in March, following a high-profile investigation that revealed public officials obtaining and selling transportation permits.

The $5,000 fine is just one recent example of the erosion of press freedom in Latin American countries. The World Press Freedom Index, published today, ranked Panama 69th amid a worrying global backslide.

The index warned that Panamanian journalists, particularly those criticizing government policy or corruption, are frequently the targets of legal threats, which has led to increased self-censorship.

In a statement, the Panamanian chapter of Transparency International warned the country’s democracy is at a “critical” inflection point, “due to the increasing judicial harassment suffered by journalists and the media, as well as a dangerous setback in the institutions called to protect transparency.”

On World Press Freedom Day, ICIJ talks to member Mary Triny Zea, who authored the investigation that led to the fine. Zea, who worked for La Prensa’s investigative unit for 14 years, is now Panama’s editor for Bloomberg Línea.

Mary Triny Zea

What was your investigation about and how did it lead to a complaint to the office of transparency (ANTAI)?

The investigation revealed who received public transport concessions in Panama. These concessions or permits are granted by the Transit and Land Transportation Authority. I requested the information under the national transparency law and, at first, the [transport] authority was reluctant to deliver it. It took several months. In fact, the same information was also requested by an independent congressman at the time and [his request] was denied.

It has always been rumored that, here in Panama, these concessions, which are similar to permits for public transport operators, are often given to politicians instead. Then, the concessions that are supposed to be free are instead sold in the market for more than $10,000 each. The people who actually drive the buses and taxis have to buy these concessions for more than $10,000 in the market.

I made a public records request under the [national] transparency law for the list of concessions, who their beneficiaries are, and other data. I used it to uncover the beneficiaries of each province in Panama: the companies, the organizations, the cooperatives. I organized the data, cleaned it, and obtained more information from other open databases in Panama. The investigation revealed multiple politicians from multiple parties had transportation concessions.

Congressman Benicio Robinson, who filed the complaint with the transparency authority, claimed his privacy was violated, as was the data protection law, and the transparency authority agreed with him and fined the newspaper that published my investigation, and also prosecuted me. It was going to penalize me as well, but it didn’t because it considered me to be subordinate to the newspaper. But the fine [to the newspaper] was $5,000. So, according to the transparency authority, the congressman’s privacy and the data protection law were violated by publishing a photo of him without his authorization, when, I reiterate, he is a public figure and the photo was taken in the exercise of his public duties.

If you put together all the pieces of a puzzle, it gives you an idea of the macabre game the sectors of power are playing

-Mary Triny Zea

The investigation revealed that the congressman [who filed the complaint] received the concessions. That is, they were granted to him directly and indirectly … despite the conflict of interest. A congressman cannot directly or indirectly obtain concessions from the state, per the Panamanian constitution.

Editor’s note: Congressman Robinson declined to comment prior to the publication of La Prensa’s investigation. He made his complaint to the transparency authority after the story was published. On March 27, La Prensa published that Robinson’s attorney told the newspaper the information in the investigation is false although the congressman told other media outlets he is a “concessionary” in the transportation business.

What is the data protection law, and how has it impacted press freedom in Panama?

This law seeks to protect the personal data of citizens because credit, banking, telephone entities and others have been selling databases used for commercial purposes, including names, IDs and telephone numbers. However, this law is being applied to restrict journalism by limiting the release of public information under the transparency law, supposedly based on principles of not violating the data protection law.

I’ll give you an example: Did you know that the government has restricted the minutes of the cabinet council? This administration is now reforming the transparency law, Law 6 of 2002, in a pre-election year, without consulting the civil society groups that have fought for years for transparency and for the creation of said law.

If you put together all the pieces of a puzzle, it gives you an idea of the macabre game the sectors of power are playing: one, by restricting information; two, by penalizing journalists and the media for doing its job of revealing hidden information, information the government does not want to disclose to the public; and three, by reforming a transparency law that — despite the fact we have a toothless transparency authority — is the only law we have to guarantee journalists and citizens access to public information for oversight.

Editor’s note: In a statement issued following the public backlash, ANTAI said La Prensa’s petition to reconsider the fine is being processed and the penalty was imposed based on “clear precepts” established in the law.

The office of transparency didn’t just take issue with publishing the photo of a public official. ANTAI also declared that the information — obtained through a public records request — should not have been published. What is the basis for that argument?

The information on the concessions was given to me by the transit authority in response to a public records request I made under Panama’s transparency law.

[La Prensa] is the second media outlet to be prosecuted by the transparency authority and fined, and the authority has also targeted journalists. In my case, there was no penalty because the transparency authority considered me subordinate to the newspaper that published the story, not because it considers me innocent.

This means that,  according to ANTAI, because I published a report with [information obtained by a public records request] and a public photo of a public servant who, by the way, wields a lot of political influence in Panama, I violated the data protection law, despite not being the guardian of that data. It was given to me, I processed it in an Excel spreadsheet and followed the typical journalistic process of investigating who received the concessions, and how they are linked to the government.

– The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ)

Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy – subscribe now!

  3. When I originally commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a
    comment is added I get four e-mails with the
    same comment. Is there any way you can remove people from that service?
    Thanks a lot!

    Feel free to visit my web page – svv388

  4. You’ve made some really good points there. I checked on the
    web for additional information about the issue and found most people
    will go along with your views on this site.

    My page … bitcoin heating

  5. My family every time say that I am killing my time here at net, except I know I am getting knowledge daily by reading thes fastidious posts.

    My site – persian

  6. Great beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend
    your web site, how could i subscribe for a blog website?

    The account helped me a acceptable deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted of
    this your broadcast provided bright clear idea

    Also visit my web page – Drape Divaa

  7. Hi! I realize this is sort of off-topic however I needed to ask.
    Does operating a well-established blog such as yours
    take a large amount of work? I am completely new to writing a blog however
    I do write in my diary daily. I’d like to start a blog so I can easily share my experience and feelings online.

    Please let me know if you have any suggestions or tips for brand new aspiring blog
    owners. Appreciate it!

    Also visit my web-site: 흥신소

  8. I savour, lead to I discovered just what I was looking for.
    You have ended my 4 day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice
    day. Bye

    Feel free to visit my homepage follow me

  9. It’s really a cool and useful piece of info.
    I’m glad that you just shared this useful information with us.

    Please stay us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.

    Take a look at my page :: 먹튀검증업체

  10. Hello my friend! I want to say that this post is
    amazing, great written and come with approximately all important infos.
    I would like to peer extra posts like this .

    My web page; red boost

  11. My brother suggested I might like this web site. He was entirely right.
    This post truly made my day. You cann’t imagine just
    how much time I had spent for this information! Thanks!

    Look into my webpage :: yakima web design

  12. Thank you for another fantastic article. The place else may anyone get that
    kind of info in such a perfect manner of writing?
    I’ve a presentation next week, and I’m on the search for such info.

    Also visit my web blog; descargar tinder gratis

  18. Hey there! Would you mind if I share your blog with my myspace group?
    There’s a lot of people that I think would really enjoy your content.
    Please let me know. Thank you

    Also visit my web blog; 마사지

  20. Hi there, always i usxed tto chsck blog posts here in thee early hours in tthe break of day,
    as i like tto lean more andd more.

    Here is my blog post Me coje mi padrasro (Jared)

  21. Heya i’m for the primary time here. I came across this board and I in finding It really helpful & it helped me
    out a lot. I’m hoping to present one thing again and
    help others like you aided me.

    Also visit my web site; Body Weight

  25. Howdy just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The words in your article seem to
    be running off the screen in Internet explorer. I’m not sure if
    this is a format issue or something to do with web browser compatibility but I thought I’d
    post to let you know. The layout look great though! Hope you
    get the problem resolved soon. Thanks

    Also visit my website … longest bridges in usa

  27. I believe that is one of the such a lot vital information for me.
    And i’m happy studying your article. But want to
    observation on some normal issues, The site style is ideal, the articles is really nice : D.
    Excellent task, cheers

    Feel free to visit my webpage :: 868hsports

  28. Nice post. I was checking continuously this blog and
    I am impressed! Extremely helpful information specially the
    last part 🙂 I care for such information much. I was seeking this particular information for a
    long time. Thank you and good luck.

    My page :: Login Dewibola

  29. You actually make it seem really easy together with your presentation but I find this matter to
    be actually something which I feel I might never understand.

    It seems too complex and extremely wide for me. I’m having a look forward to your next post, I will attempt to
    get the cling of it!

    Take a look at my web site – slot online (betsvisa.site)

  30. I just like the helpful info you provide to your articles.
    I’ll bookmark your blog and check once more here regularly.
    I am moderately certain I’ll be told many new stuff right here!
    Best of luck for the next!

    My blog PKV

  32. I was wondering if you ever thought of changing the structure of your blog?

    Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better.
    Youve got an awful lot of text for only having 1 or 2 pictures.
    Maybe you could space it out better?

    Also visit my web blog miui news

  34. Hello everyone, it’s my first visit at this website,
    and post is actually fruitful in favor of me, keep up posting these types of content.

    Here is my homepage: vivo slot

  35. Thanks for any other informative web site.
    Where else may I am getting that kind of info written in such a perfect manner?

    I have a undertaking that I am just now working on, and I’ve been on the
    look out for such info.

    Also visit my site; 먹튀검증

  36. Hello, i believe that i saw you visited my website thus i came to go back the
    desire?.I’m trying to find issues to improve my site!I suppose
    its adequate to make use of a few of your concepts!!

    my web blog … singapore escorts

  38. We are a group of volunteers and opening a brand new scheme in our community.

    Your web site offered us with helpful information to work on. You’ve performed a
    formidable activity and our entire group
    can be thankful to you.

    Here is my homepage; gnbet8

  41. This design is steller! You obviously know how to
    keep a reader entertained. Between your wit and your
    videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Fantastic job.
    I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how you
    presented it. Too cool!

    My webpage RENTAL MOTOR JEMBER

  42. Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you writing this article and
    the rest of the site is extremely good.

    Here is my website … marketing

  43. Hello! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my new iphone 4!

    Just wanted to say I love reading your blog and
    look forward to all your posts! Keep up the fantastic work!

    Here is my page … Pola Slot Gacor

  45. I have been browsing online greater than three hours lately, yet
    I by no means discovered any fascinating article like yours.
    It’s pretty worth enough for me. In my opinion, if all web owners
    and bloggers made excellent content material as you probably
    did, the internet will probably be much more helpful than ever before.

  47. Hello there! Do you know if they make any plugins
    to assist with Search Engine Optimization? I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very
    good results. If you know of any please share. Kudos!

    My page هات نیوز (Ned)

  48. I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was
    good. I don’t know who you are but definitely you’re going to a famous blogger if you aren’t already ;
    ) Cheers!

    Look at my web-site :: KHART33

  50. I every time used tto read polst inn neqs paperts but
    now as I aam a user of nnet therefore from now I aam uusing net for
    posts, thanls to web.

    my web blog :: Sexyy ex gf getsfucked – Rosalyn –

  52. I am actually glad to glance at this weblog posts which contains tons of helpful data, thanks for providing
    these information.

    Review my web-site: روش بازی پوکر (wiki.gewex.org)

  56. Hi, I think your site could be having intsrnet browser compatibility problems.
    When I take a look aat your blog in Safari, it looks fine however whhen openng in IE, it has some overlapping issues.
    I just wantewd to give you a quick heads up! Other than that, great website!

    Also visit my web blog; IT consultancy

  57. Thank you for any other wonderful post. Where else may anybody get
    that kind of info in such a perfect method of writing?
    I have a presentation next week, and I’m at the search for such information.

    Here is my web blog … w88

  58. if you are looking for best dentist in Sunnyvale, San jose, Santa clara, Cupertino, and Mountain view you can go and
    consult with Sunnyvale Dental Care for any of your dental needs.

    As they are Diamon plus top 1% Invisalign provider. They provides all kind of dental
    services such as implant, invisalign, emergency, family and general dental care.

    my web site: Sunnyvale Emergency dentist

  59. Great article! That is the type of info that are meant to be shared around
    the internet. Disgrace on the search engines for now not positioning this
    post upper! Come on over and consult with my web site . Thanks =)

    My web page situs online slot

  60. I blog frequently and I genuinely thank you for your information.
    This article has truly peaked my interest. I will book mark your blog and keep checking for new details
    about once per week. I subscribed to your RSS feed too.

    my web blog … jasa renovasi rumah

  62. This is very interesting, You are a very skilled blogger.
    I’ve joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your fantastic
    post. Also, I have shared your web site in my social networks!

    Also visit my blog … maincuan

  63. certainly like your web site but you have to take a look
    at the spelling on several of your posts.
    A number of them are rife with spelling issues and I find it very troublesome to tell the reality nevertheless I will definitely come back again.

    my web-site; ads508

  64. Greetings from Florida! I’m bored to death at work so I decided to browse your blog on my iphone during lunch break.
    I love the information you present here and can’t wait to take a look when I
    get home. I’m amazed at how quick your blog loaded on my
    mobile .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, amazing site!

    Feel free to surf to my webpage – sv388

  66. I’ve been exploring for a bit for any high quality articles or blog posts
    on this kind of space . Exploring in Yahoo I
    eventually stumbled upon this website. Reading this information So i’m happy to exhibit that I’ve
    an incredibly just right uncanny feeling I found out exactly what I
    needed. I most indisputably will make certain to don?t disregard this web site and give it a look on a continuing basis.

    my web page :: svv388

  67. I like the valuable information you provide in your articles.
    I’ll bookmark your weblog and check again here frequently.

    I’m quite sure I’ll learn a lot of new stuff right here!
    Good luck for the next!

    Visit my web-site: Live Draw SGP

  68. It’s perfect time to make some plans for the longer term and it is time to be happy.
    I have read this publish and if I may I want to suggest
    you few attention-grabbing issues or advice.
    Maybe you could write subsequent articles relating to this article.

    I wish to learn even more things approximately it!ข่าวฟุตบอล

  69. I’m not sure why but this site is loading extremely slow
    for me. Is anyone else having this issue or is it a issue on my end?
    I’ll check back later and see if the problem still exists.

    my web site: SUMO777

  73. Hello just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The words in your article seem to be running off the screen in Ie.
    I’m not sure if this is a formatting issue or something to do with browser compatibility but I figured I’d post to let you know.

    The layout look great though! Hope you get the problem resolved soon. Kudos

    Feel free to visit my blog post: login dewibola

  77. I have been exploring for a little for any high-quality articles or
    blog posts on this kind of house . Exploring in Yahoo I at last stumbled
    upon this website. Studying this info So i’m satisfied to express that I have a very just right uncanny feeling I discovered just what I needed.

    I such a lot surely will make certain to do not disregard this
    web site and give it a glance regularly.

    my site … slot gacor

  78. Superb blog! Do you have any tips and hints for aspiring writers?
    I’m hoping to start my own site soon but I’m a little
    lost on everything. Would you advise starting with
    a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are
    so many options out there that I’m totally confused ..
    Any ideas? Cheers!

    My web blog: fafa slot

  79. Hmm is anyone else encountering problems with
    the pictures on this blog loading? I’m trying
    to determine if its a problem on my end or if it’s
    the blog. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

    Here is my web-site medali303

  80. Thank you for some other wonderful post. Where else
    could anyone get that type of information in such an ideal means of writing?
    I’ve a presentation next week, and I’m at the search for such info.

    Review my blog: sữa rửa mặt ravis

  81. Every weekend i used to visit this web site, because i want enjoyment, for the reason that this this website
    conations actually fastidious funny stuff too.

    Also visit my webpage; svv388

  82. Hi there just wanted to give you a brief heads up and let you
    know a few of the images aren’t loading properly.
    I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue.
    I’ve tried it in two different internet browsers and both show the same
    outcome.

    Also visit my blog post … sv388

  83. I do not know whether it’s just me or if everyone else experiencing problems with your
    website. It seems like some of the text on your posts are running off
    the screen. Can somebody else please provide feedback and let me know if
    this is happening to them too? This could be a problem with my internet browser because I’ve had this happen before.
    Kudos

    Also visit my webpage – Business Visa Online

  84. Hey there! I know this is kinda off topic nevertheless I’d figured
    I’d ask. Would you be interested in exchanging links or maybe guest authoring a
    blog article or vice-versa? My blog discusses a lot of the same topics as yours and I feel we could greatly benefit from each other.
    If you might be interested feel free to send me an e-mail.
    I look forward to hearing from you! Excellent blog by the way!

    Look at my web site … svv388

  85. Great beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your web site, how could i subscribe for a blog site?
    The account aided me a acceptable deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright
    clear idea

    Feel free to surf to my web-site – DATA HK

  87. This is very interesting, You are a very skilled blogger.
    I’ve joined your feed and sit up for looking for extra of your
    great post. Additionally, I have shared your site in my social networks

    Feel free to visit my page :: Syair Sdy

  88. Attractive part of content. I just stumbled upon your website and in accession capital to assert that
    I acquire in fact enjoyed account your weblog posts.
    Any way I’ll be subscribing for your augment or
    even I fulfillment you get right of entry to constantly fast.

    Also visit my page 신용 카드 현금화

  89. Have you ever thought about writing an e-book or guest authoring on other sites?
    I have a blog based on the same ideas you discuss and would really like to have you
    share some stories/information. I know my audience would appreciate your work.
    If you are even remotely interested, feel free to shoot
    me an e mail.

    My blog – medali 303

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Recent Stories

Latest News

Most Read

42 John Meinert Street,
Windhoek,Namibia, +264 61 279 600

The Namibian
© All rights reserved.

NEWS

BUSINESS

OPINIONS

LIFESTYLE

MULTIMEDIA

SPORT

MORE

FOLLOW US

Unless otherwise indicated, copyright in the content of this website vest in The Free Press of Namibia (Proprietary) Limited (Registration No 85/058). The unauthorized making of copies or use of this material constitutes a copyright infringment under the Namibian Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Protection Act, 1994 (Act No 6 of 1994).

Powered by PageSuite