Overview
- The Executive formally asked Congress for legislative faculties that include amending the Penal Code to create a crime for disclosing reserved information from prosecutorial and police investigations.
- The request is contained in bill 1328/2024-PE, part of a broader package on citizen security, organized crime, institutional strengthening and economic measures.
- The National Association of Journalists (ANP) says the open wording could criminalize journalism, endanger source protection and limit citizens’ access to information on matters of public interest.
- Prime Minister Ernesto Álvarez said there is no intent to target the press and pledged to invite journalists to review draft decrees, with technical work led by the Justice Ministry, PCM advisers and prominent communicators.
- Álvarez argues the measure would penalize actions that jeopardize investigations by alerting suspects, while critics note the proposal still lacks a clear definition of what information would be protected and urge vigilance.