Haiti - Politic : Mirlande Manigat reacted to the call to order of CONATEL

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Haiti - Politic : Mirlande Manigat reacted to the call to order of CONATEL
12/04/2014 09:54:49

Responding to the call to order of the National Telecommunications Council (CONATEL) concerning misinformation made by some radio stations https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-10916-haiti-politic-the-conatel-call-to-order-radio-stations.html ,
Mrs. Manigat, General Secretary of the Rally of Progressive National Democrats (RDNP) [part of the "Patriotic Movement of the Democratic Opposition" (MOPOD), which includes the main opposition party], is surprised that CONATEL, which refers to a decree which according to her is manifestly unconstitutional and violates the fundamental freedoms of the press." Also she states that this decree was abolished, recalling that the 1987 Constitution, abolished all laws, decrees, all decree laws and all orders contrary to it.

Note that Mrs. Manigat refers to Article 296 of the Constitution which states "All Codes of Law or Handbooks of Justice, all decree laws and all decrees and Orders currently in force are maintained in all that is not contrary to this Constitution."

However, if one refers to the release of CONATEL that states "some radio stations, in violation of the provisions of the Penal Code and the laws and regulations of telecommunications, broadcasting systematically false information likely to disturb public order, to destabilize the institutions of the Republic and to undermine the integrity of many citizens." this point does not seem a priori, contrary to the Constitution, which in its Section C on Freedom of Expression states "Article 28.2: The journalist can not be compelled to reveal its sources. However, it has a duty to verify the authenticity and accuracy of information. It is also bound by professional ethics." and "Article 28-3: All offenses of Press as well as the abuse of the right of expression come under the Criminal Code."

Mrs. Manigat believes that the release of conatel "[...] confirms a tendency to restore the dictatorship in the country" and called for citizen mobilization next week, adding that "the opposition does not intend to engage [!]"

Note that this so-called citizen mobilization was already scheduled for April 15 and it is in fact a call for anti-governmental demonstration launched earlier by the MOPOD, "Fòs Patriotik ou Respè Konstitsyon an" (FOPARK), "Òganizasyon Tèt Ansanm" (OTAN) and Senator Moïse Jean Charles...

SL/ HaitiLibre