Rafael Correa and Ecuador's Freedom of the Press

In an apparent reaction to an embarrassing video released earlier this year and a further attack on the country’s press freedoms, Ecuador’s president, Rafael Correa, has instituted a law prohibiting the release of ‘clandestine’ videos and audios that involve high-government officials.

The decree was introduced this week as part of the country’s broadcasting and television law and prohibits the broadcast of videos or audio that do not have the authorization of the participants. The Secretariat of Communication said the law was necessary to protect “the right of privacy” of government officials.

Yet most believe the law is in response to the release of a video last May that embarrassed the administration. The clandestinely-filmed video made in February showed a meeting between various Ecuadorian finance officials - including the Minster of Finance, Ricardo Patiño - and representatives of a New York investment firm.

The video, taken days before the government was due to make payments on $135 million in bonds, showed the group planning to benefit from the creation of economic uncertainty in the country, the Financial Times reported. In the past, Correa has stated his strategy in the global bond market is “to create uncertainty” but the video was the first evidence of the plans on the part of Ecuador's government to profit directly from it.

Correa’s dealings with the press have been difficult since taking office. Given the polarized nature of Ecuadorian society, press coverage of the controversial president has been heated and, in June, Correa even admitted he had "made mistakes" in clashing with the press. But two weeks later, he called for "strong laws" to be imposed in the communications field.

Last week, Correa announced that he would no longer give news conferences and, instead, he would now respond to the news media only "in writing." Moreover, Correa has also persisted in using one of the country’s “insult laws” which carry the penalty of six months to two years in prison against the editor of a Quito newspaper.

The laws have been roundly criticized as a barrier to freedom of expression. The measures have been removed from the penal codes of Argentina, Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama, Paraguay and Peru, and partially repealed in Chile. In Latin America, only Venezuela has recently strengthened its version of the laws.


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