After the columnist of this newspaper, Walter Spurrier, wrote the article “Venezuela, better than Ecuador?” received a threatening e-mail signed by the responsible person. The International Journalists’ Network (IJNet) published an article on September 8 about the situation in which Ecuadorian journalists find themselves in the midst of a political, social and institutional crisis.

Walter Spurrier received a threatening email about an article about Luisa González

The note refers to the key points that were presented at the virtual meeting of Ecuadorian experts from the World Crisis Forum. The seriousness of the conclusions, as well as the threat to the columnist for reasoned opinion, goes beyond the effect of communication in the media to affect the right of expression and information through the channels that citizens choose.

Appropriately, one of the exponents mentioned in the article points out: “If we attack a journalist, if we kill him, if we kidnap him, if we attack him on social networks and absolutely nothing happens, we can do the same to him and everyone else.” It refers to the message of impunity that remains. It illustrates the murder of the El Comercia journalist team on the Ecuador-Colombia border.

The right to dissent at all levels of the state deserves respect. It must be done with arguments, not with threats, and even less with extremes that do not affect the integrity and dignity of absolutely any person. Violence is not the way in any case.

Local laws and international standards promote respect for freedom of expression, which belongs to everyone, not just journalists. Every issue must be discussed within the framework of respect, argument and law.

The authorities must be vigilant about any intention that threatens freedoms. We are all keepers of the peace; There is already violence caused by organized crime that requires the unity of society and officials to oppose it, as well as allowing other threats to try to silence opinion, wherever it comes from. (OR)