Columbia: CFWIJ Condemns The Defamation Conviction Against Journalist Vicky Dávila
Location: Columbia
Date: April 10, 2021
In the latest development of the defamation case against Vicky Dávila, the Labor Cassation Chamber of the Colombian Supreme Court has reversed the journalist’s once-successful appeal. The Supreme Court upheld the previous ruling of the appellate court on October 15, 2020, which ordered the journalist to pay over $43,421 in damages to the family of a police colonel. Vicky reported on the corrupt practices of the police colonel, which led to his termination. According to the journalist, the latest decision against her will be reviewed by the constitutional court. CFWIJ is concerned by the judicial harassment of Vicky and considers it a dangerous precedent for the press in the country. The Columbian judiciary must respect the principles of press freedom and end the defamation case against Vicky Dávila.
The defamation case was sparked by Vicky's revelations in two radio reports from May 2014 regarding the Casanare police commander, colonel Jorge Hilario Estupiñán. Estupiñán was suspended and later fired after the allegations against him were shared by the journalist. A departmental investigation later cleared the police colonel from the allegations, and he filed a defamation suit against Vicky and the RCN media company.
In the recent hearing of the defamation case on March 24, the Labor court reversed the decision that had cleared Vicky of the charges and upheld the earlier ruling of October 15, 2020. In the October 15 ruling, the appellate court ordered Vicky and RCN to pay damages of $43,421 for tarnishing the reputation of Estupiñán and his family. However, the decision was reversed by the supreme court on February 5, 2021, stating the appellate court ruling went too far in dictating how journalism should be practiced, and the punishment was unnecessarily harsh. The Foundation for Freedom of the Press (FLIP) issued a statement rejecting the latest court verdict against Vicky. According to the statement, the court proceedings against the press sends a negative message to journalists whose work promotes public debate. This kind of judicial interference can lead to self-censorship and threaten the freedom of expression.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism demands the Colombian judicial authorities to drop the defamation charges against Vicky Dávila and protect press freedom rather than restrict it. We hope the constitutional court will recognize the important role journalists play in reporting and informing society and overturn the charges against her.
The CFWIJ strongly condemns the police brutality against journalists. We demand the immediate return of the press cards seized from the security forces. Policies to intimidate journalists should be abandoned, and journalism should be practiced under the criteria of freedom of the press.
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