PANAMA
High courts are considering silencing and punitive measures against
two Panamanian cartoonists
Panama City, Panama, June 8, 2002
- The Ex-President of Panama, Ernesto Pérez Balladares, accused Víctor
"Vic" Branches of La Prensa (The Press) of "Course
Crime" against his honor. The cartoonist must appear before the Eighth
Court to yield a sworn statement in early June. The case is heard by Judge
(Lic.) Alcides Pimentel Martínez. Vic is the second political cartoonist
from La Prensa who has been charged because of practicing his job
as a journalist. The other cartoonist, Julio "Rac" Briceñ,
faces a charge imposed by the ex-vice president Ricardo Arias Cauldron who,
under the same laws of "calumny and offense," is facing a fine
of one million dollars. The cartoon that got Víctor Branches into
so much trouble can be seen here below. Panama is considering two new government
bills for regulating journalism by establishing strict controls on professionals
working in the communication field.
The title of the cartoon is "FunnyDemocracy."
The translation of the Spanish language text from left to right is as follows:
"These are my little toys" "And these too" says the
poor guy that is carrying a box that says "debt." Inside the box
one can read the name of different transnational companies operating in
Panama (Electra Noroeste (electricity) Union Fenosa (rails) Cable and Wireless
(cable and telecomunications) and on the floor there is a "narco-check"
referring to drug money.
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