Several Bolivian newspapers protested last week against a proposed law that would allow the government to shut down media outlets it deems guilty of racism. They carried front pages bearing a single slogan: "There is no democracy without freedom of expression."
The one-day protest by papers such as El Deber of Santa Cruz, La Prensa and El Diario of La Paz, Los Tiempos of Cochabamba and Correo del Sur of Sucre was motivated by concern that the law could be used to curtail political criticism.
But President Evo Morales says the bill is intended to combat racism against the indigenous people of Bolivia, and that freedom of expression should not be used as a pretext for racism or discrimination.
Morales is the first president drawn from the country's long-oppressed Indian majority. The bill, having passed through the chamber of deputies, must be passed by the senate before it becomes law.
Sources: Index on Censorship/BusinessWeek/AP
