CPJ urged President Oscar Arias to bring Costa Rica's defamation laws into compliance with international standards on freedom of expression. In a June 8 letter, CPJ expressed concern about a May 3 decision by the Costa Rican Constitutional Court to uphold a press law that makes defamation a crime. Article 7 of the 1902 statute imposes a prison sentence of up to 120 days for defamation in print media. CPJ also expressed alarm over a bill introduced in Congress seeking to establish press regulatory agencies and impose strict controls on journalism. In a July 14 letter to CPJ, Justice Minister Laura Chinchilla said that the government "will not help or support any legislative proposal that hinders press freedom in any way."

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