Bolivia Enacts Broad Anti-Discrimination Law, But Impact On Media Protested

On October 8, Bolivian President Evo Morales signed the newly enacted Law Against Racism and All Forms of Discrimination.  According to Workers World, the law prohibits racism and also prohibits discrimination based religion as well as numerous other grounds. A translation of the anti-discrimination section is furnished as part of the Andean Information Network's analysis of the law:

A person who arbitrarily or illegally obstructs, restricts, infringes upon, impedes or prevents the exercise of individual or collective rights, motivated by sex, age, gender, sexual orientation or gender identity, cultural identity, family affiliation, nationality, citizenship, language, religious creed, ideology, political opinion or philosophy, marital status, economic or social situation, illness, occupation, level of education, being differently abled or having a physical, intellectual or sensory disability, pregnancy, regional origin, physical appearance and dress, will be sanctioned to a prison sentence between one and five years.

The news media oppose two sections of the new law that prohibit the media from publishing or broadcasting racist or discriminatory statements, even when reporting statements by third parties. Sanctions include withdrawal of operating licenses and prison sentences for journalists and media owners. CNN reports that 28 journalists in Santa Cruz are on a hunger strike in protest, fearing that the government will use the new law to muzzle media outlets that publish articles supporting political opponents. Journalists and others are seeking a national referendum on the provisions that impact the press.