The association warned that the publication and circulation of photographs of lifeless bodies and scenes of violence not only constitute an affront to human dignity and the pain of the victims’ families, but also violates Law 192-19 on the Protection of Image, Honor, and Personal and Family Privacy.

CARD President Trajano Potentini maintained that the right to information cannot be placed above respect for the fundamental rights of individuals.

He also considered that freedom of the press and expression also entails a measure of ethical and legal responsibility.

His statements come after the collapse of the roof of a nightclub in Santo Domingo early Tuesday morning, which caused the deaths of more than 200 people and has left the Dominican Republic in mourning.

He recalled that the law punishes those who disseminate, by any means, images that affect the honor, privacy, and dignity of people, living or deceased, without the authorization of family members or legal representatives.

Potentini urged the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Dominican Telecommunications Institute (Indotel) to monitor compliance with legislation regarding image and privacy protection.

He also called on the media, digital platforms, independent journalists, and social media users to act with prudence and sensitivity, professional ethics, and respect for the victims and their families.

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