Press Freedom ranking falls

Argentina fell seven places and was ranked 54th in the International Press Freedom Index 2013 published by Reporters Without Borders.

The report stated that the situation had grown worse in Argentina “amid growing tension between the government and certain privately-owned media about a new law regulating the broadcast media,” in a reference to the Broadcasting Law.

Regionally, the best-positioned out of 179 was Costa Rica, in 18th place, followed by Uruguay (27th), El Salvador (38th) and Argentina. Brazil was place 108th, Venezuela 117th, Ecuador 119th and Cuba 171st.

CFK TWEETS vs. THE MEDIA

President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner yesterday criticized the role of the media in using “pain as a political communications strategy to wear down a government,” in reference to coverage of the deal reached with Iran over the AMIA terrorist bombing issue.

Using her official Twitter account, the President quoted United States President Barack Obama, who said that “the media shape debates and obstruct agreements,” in reference to Fox News.

“(Barack) Obama is right,” said the President, insisting that “the left-wing media recognize that commitment is not a bad word.”

Fernández de Kirchner turned her ire towards La Nación by stating about the daily: “So much negativity. How many lies have been told toward discouragement, fighting and hatred. A real disgrace.”

Herald with DyN, Telam