MEDIA REACTION - PRESS FREEDOM

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000311 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR IIP/G/WHA INR/R/MR, WHA/BSC, WHA/PDA, INR/IAA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPRC PHUM KMDR KPAO CI SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION - PRESS FREEDOM ¶1. On February 11, center-left "Diario Siete" (circ. 23,000) carried an editorial entitled, "Freedom of Expression and Religious Co-Existence." Quote: "Danish daily Jyllands Paoster, which published the Mohammed cartoons that enraged the prophet's followers, apologized to the Muslim world on Thursday. Freedom of expression must be compatible with other liberties, including freedom of religion, which compels us to recognize and respect religious diversity. No mass media can claim to have 'absolute freedom.' There are restrictions (to the freedom of expression) that have to do with common sense and not just legal requirements. Democracy leaves room for irreverence, but we must also consider the effects that these irreverent acts have on our social co-existence and find norms that allow for co-existence and civilized dialogue in today's world." ¶2. On February 11, conservative, influential newspaper-of-record "El Mercurio" (circ. 116,807) carried a weekly round-up column entitled, "The Debate on Freedom of Expression." Quote: "It is evident that, in extraordinary situations, journalists must be extremely careful in the handling of information that could hurt cultural sensibilities. But, under the same circumstances, it is not appropriate to establish regulations that could later lead to greater problems in the exercise of our liberties." KELLY