Journalists Strike

Journalists in 7 of Bolivia’s 9 departments were today due to mobilize in opposition to articles 16 and 23 of the new anti-racism law. Union representatives from every department except La Paz and Cochabamba announced a day of marches and strikes, with the national leadership declaring that they were not against the spirit of the law, but against the attempt to control freedom of expression. The articles which have provoked the ire of journalists across the country, provide for economic sanctions as well as the suspension of licence to be levied against any media outlet which publishes racist and discriminatory ideas, and denies media owners and workers the right to claim any immunity from prosecution.