Overview
- The Renovación Popular bench introduced the bill this week, with deputy Aldo Bravo formally presenting the text that seeks to add Article 316-B to the Penal Code and to change Article 46.
- The draft defines an aggravated form of apología as promoting, justifying or legitimizing explosives, incendiaries or other dangerous means and sets prison terms of four to six years plus disqualification for public servants.
- The proposal treats use of media, digital platforms, demonstrations or statements by persons with 'capacity to convene' as aggravating factors and explicitly names public officials, leaders, communicators, journalists, creators and influencers.
- Bravo says the bill aims to prevent violence and does not intend to curb free speech, but the Association of National Journalists, the Press Council and legal experts say the text is vague, risks overlapping existing instigation rules and could chill reporting or expose reporters to seizures of devices.
- The measure remains a proposed bill and will face parliamentary debate and likely legal challenges unless lawmakers narrow key terms, add clear safeguards for journalism and explain how it differs from current criminal law.