Costa Rica - May 2023

Constitutional Chamber rules against President Chaves and Health minister for verbal attacks on journalists

The Supreme Court’s Constitutional Chamber has ruled against President Rodrigo Chaves and his cabinet’s former Health Minister for comments made against journalists. The appeal for constitutional protection (amparo) was presented by journalist Jason Ureña, who alleged that the President’s and former Health Minister’s comments, including their descriptions of reporters as “political hitmen”, contributed to harassment against journalists. The harsh criticism from government officials were responses to news reports that indicated the former Health Minister had hired a communication network to harass critical news organizations.

The government officials were ordered by the Chamber to pay damages and costs for the stigmatizing language used against journalists.

Sources: La Nacion (1), La Nacion (2), El Universal