President Rodrigo Chaves responded disdainfully on Wednesday to a question about the Constitutional Court’s decision, which ruled on press freedom violations and ordered the State to pay costs, damages, and penalties for violations of journalists’ rights during the president’s press conferences in 2024. “One more ridiculous act by the Cour]. Thank you,” he said.

The complaints were filed by journalists David Bolaños, David Chavarría, and Héctor Guzmán, who alleged that they were subjected to restrictions and harassment while carrying out their work.

The complaints describe how, at one of the press conferences on July 30, 2024, the president abruptly interrupted and silenced journalist Héctor Guzmán when he attempted to ask a question. At another press conference on September 11, reporters Bolaños and Chavarría were surrounded by agents of the Presidential Protection Unit when they attempted to ask questions about a bill.

The plaintiffs also claimed that when they insisted on questioning the then Minister of the Presidency, Laura Fernández, their microphones were muted to prevent them from doing so.

The second complaint relates to the Ministry of the Presidency’s failure to respond to requests for information about the aforementioned bill, which was considered a violation of the right to petition and access to public information, although no financial penalties were imposed in this case.

According to the local press, the Supreme Court’s ruling sets an important precedent regarding respect for journalistic work and access to information at official events of the Executive Branch.

jrr/llp/mem/apb