The International Press Institute has described the recent decision by the Constitutional Court (Resolution TC012013-0009) to strike down criminal defamation in the case of government bodies and public officials as “a partial victory for media freedom.” The IPI pointed out nevertheless that the court declined to strike down criminal defamation more broadly.
The Constitutional Court said that Arts. 30, 31, 34 and 37 of the country’s Expression and Diffusion of Thought Law dating back to 1961 (Ley Difusion Pensamiento 61-32) were in violation of the Constitution.
The provisions introduced criminal penalties, including prison terms, for journalists accused of defaming or insulting legislative bodies, the police or the courts, or any public official, including individual legislators and cabinet members.
However, the Court did not amend the provisions that establish criminal penalties for defamation and insult committed against private individuals. It also declined to strike down criminal penalties for offending the country’s President or defaming foreign leaders. In all of these cases, convicted offenders continue to face the possibility of imprisonment.
http://www.freemedia.at/newssview/article/dominican-republic-partially-tosses-criminal-defamation-law.html
