Ecuador's President Correa sues newspaper and is blamed for killing free speech

But this case does not stand alone. Others journalists have been sued, including two investigative reporters who wrote a book called “Big Brother” about the business deals of Correa’s brother.

Tomorrow, the Organization of American States (OAS) meets for a reform vote pushed by Ecuador, to strip the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of some of her powers. She has been critical of Correa, who, in return, has accused the rapporteur of serving the interests of big media.

 A Reporters Without Borders piece condemns the proposed reforms: “Far from being a organizational tweak, the proposed overhaul of the way the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) functions would ratify a disgraceful political offensive by certain member states against one of its components, an important mechanism in the defense of civil liberties in the western hemisphere – the Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression.”

And earlier this month, Ecuador’s national assembly approved changes to a media law that restricts what journalists can cover about candidates. Correa again defends it on grounds that it prevents major media companies, which often align with powerful candidates, from having too much political sway. But critics say it is to his benefit, as he likely runs for re-election in 2013.

Other countries in Latin America have seen a decline in press freedom in recent years. In Mexico and Central America, for example, drug gangs have greatly reduced freedom of the press. Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez is often singled out for curtailing press freedom, specifically for not renewing licenses of opposition outlets. But in Ecuador, where the state media apparatus has grown from a single radio station when Correa took office five years ago to over 15 today, it is the rate of change that is alarming, media groups say.  “The pace at which the climate has deteriorated is really unprecedented,” says Lauria.

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