Amendment to Defamation Bill: Channel Five C.E.O. Says Public Discourse Must Be Preserved

Marleni Cuellar

This morning members of the media were at the National Assembly, but not to cover a House Meeting. This time, they were participating in a consultation on an amendment to the Defamation Act that governs libel and slander. It is an important issue for both traditional media houses, or mainstream media, and newer online-only entities. While some have an increasingly established presence and attend press conferences and trainings with Belizean journalists, others appear to have no known owners or are run by anonymous political operatives. While the new amendment seeks to bring these under an expanded Defamation Act, there is concern it could also be seeking to stifle free expression in an already litigious environment. Channel Five’s C.E.O., Marleni Cuellar, was among the media leaders in Belmopan this morning.

Marleni Cuellar, C.E.O., Great Belize Television

“There is a level of intimidation that is used very often, citing the defamation law. And it is critical one, that we understand all the changes that are being made, how it affects us, and being able to take advantage of the opportunity this morning to voice our concerns of where we feel we are not adequately protected.

One of the things that we all acknowledge now are there are different ways to disseminate information; social media is one of them. And there is not enough regulation, for those that use the platforms that we offer to share information. The decision I think, in looking at the innocent dissemination that will be included in the defamation act is an opportunity. But again, as I noted in today’s consultation, I do feel that the media deserves special protection as well because when we are no longer able to put the information out to the public, and allow for public discourse, because we must constantly be monitoring what very often are posted by political trolls, paid political trolls, to go on and make defamatory comments, it will reach the point like we have seen in places like Australia, where they close off all the commentary on Facebook posts.”