“Sala IV” accepts journalist’s appeal and suspends “Gag law”

November 25^th, 2012 (InsideCostaRica.com) The president of the “Sala IV” (Supreme Court), Ana Virginia Calzada, accepted an appeal based on unconstitutionality that was filed against the Information Crime Law, which had become known as the “Gag Law,” citing possible failures in the legislative process that approved the bill, as well as violation of the freedom of speech and information.

As a result, the law, which threatens both journalists and private citizens with 4 to 8 years in prison for revealing “political secrets,” will be suspended until the court is able to resolve the appeal.

The president of the “Colegio” of Professional Journalists, Jose Rodolfo Ibarra, celebrated the news and said that this proves that “the freedom of press is very important in Costa Rican culture.”

Francisco Chacon, Communication Minister, said that the Executive Branch also celebrates the court’s decision, because “the law has terms that could be complex and problematic.”

Although the term “political secrets,” was in the old version of the Penal Code, it was framed in the context of national security.

Randall Rivera of the local news organizations “Noticias Reloj” and “Monumental,” filed the appeal personally.

The Supreme Court judges do not have a specific deadline to resolve the appeal for unconstitutionality, though the “Gag Law” will remain suspended until the issue is resolved.