The Abinader administration and the ruling Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) have been criticized for higher-up members presenting bills that are described as “gag laws.” This includes a bill submitted to Congress on cybersecurity by the Presidency itself. Finjus, a civic society watchdog group, protests the Abinader government has included penalties for defamation in the cybersecurity bill submitted to Congress.
As a follow-up, President Luis Abinader named an honorary committee with several prominent journalists to assist the government in drafting a bill to update the present freedom of speech legislation. Through Decree 333-22 the President named lawyer Namphi Rodriguez, Listin Diario executive editor Miguel Franjul, Diario Libre executive editor Ines Aizpun, executive editor Persio Maldonado of El Nuevo Diario, and high profile journalists Huchi Lora and Edith Febles. Also on the committee are Eric Raful Perez, Hermogenes Acosta de los Santos, Miguel Angel Prestol Gonzalez, Jimena Conde Jiminian, Aurelio Henriquez, Elvira Lora Peña and Gabriela Beltre.
The presidential decree asks the named committee to submit a draft bill within 90 days.
The Abinader administration has been under scrutiny as high-up ruling Modern Revolutionary Party members and the Presidency have presented to Congress bills that have been described as gag laws. One of these bills, presented by a senator, recently passed in the Senate and would oblige people to request permission from legislators to mention these in posts on social media. Social media has been active in sharing information on corruption in government, including cases of suspect drug trafficking and corruption among legislators.
Diario Libre asks what the government is up to as there are already laws that address the same concerns the bills are again addressing. The newspaper editorialized on the many bills that restrict freedom of expression presented by government officials and legislators since the change of government. The newspaper says the Constitutional Court has already ruled in favor of freedom of expression.
The civic watchdog organization, Participación Ciudadana also alerted against the passing of the bills that seek to have a chilling effect on the sharing of information on possible corruption acts of government officers.
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Presidency
Diario Libre
Diario Libre
Participacion Ciudadana
El Nuevo Diario
27 June 2022