Free Speech and Threats

[Lee Zeltzer]

Panama does not have a free press. in fact it is less free now than in the past. According to Reporters without Borders, Panama ranks 81 out of 178 nations, way below Costa Rica at 29, bracketed between Albania and Zambia, just a bit above Nicaragua at 83. 

This website is hosted in the US, number 20 on the same list and I am a US citizen. Still I and many others who contribute to this website live in Panama and we are subject to the laws of Panama, all of them. 

Twice,  I have threatened with slander or more correctly libel suits using Panama's rather draconian laws. Once for exposing Computer Protective Services and Fredrick Allen Osburn and  more recently for expressing my opinion about a Tuesday Morning Meeting topic.

Threats inhibit free speech. Threats discourage people from interacting or expressing their opinions. The goal of this website is a free exchange of information which includes opinions; mine and yours.

I cannot prevent anyone from filing a lawsuit, but I will ban and delete all content from anyone who, in the future uses this forum to make a threat, legal or not,  against any user on this website.

The past is the past and cannot be altered but the future will lack threats here.  If you think you are libeled, hire a lawyer, but don't threaten people on this website. 

[Ralph H. Klinger]

Yea Lee, Glad to hear you and your comments again, free speech is what it's all about , just look at the past and what people had to do to gain free speech.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ken Thompson]

I thank you Lee, for offering good advice in this matter and the exposing the criminals in Boquete. I, for one, would like you to continue keeping us informed on the goings on in the area. You truly care for the expat community and we can trust that your information is correct and honest. Muchas gracias!...Pattie

[Judy Sacco]

I've been looking into those laws, and they were originally intended to stifle the press - not a good thing in itself. But they have been expanded so that people running for political office cannot say anything negative about their opponents (can you imagine that?). Their use has expanded to apply to anybody threatening anybody who says anything negative about anybody, even if it is true.

I don't know what the line is between slander/libel and free speech, but it seems that law is used to stifle everybody. It allows the corrupt and the lawless to be free to keep doing their dirty deeds without being challenged. The American Convention on Human Rights and the OAS have denounced these laws and are trying to get rid of them http://www.cidh.oas.org/relatoria/showarticle.asp?artID=310&lID=1

I'm glad Lee had the courage to expose Ozzie and Roger. The threat of a libel suit was probably their last desperate attempt to escape the consequences of their actions.

[Elizabeth Worley]

Well said...and brings to mind, all of you out there who seem often to revert to middle school mentality..."Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me." Grow up.