Journalist group condemns press freedom violations

Denver: A group representing journalists from across the Americas is condemning violations of press freedoms in both Latin America and the United States.

The Inter American Press Association on Tuesday cited the killings of 14 journalists as well as government acquisition of media outlets in Latin America, the secret seizure of Associated Press phone records, a new censorship law in Ecuador and advertising restrictions in Argentina as among the worst of the offenses. Members passed resolutions against them on the final day of their annual meeting in Denver. The group urged the US Congress to pass to legislation establishing a "robust" shield law that protects journalists from being forced to divulge their sources, a law that would prevent journalists from being jailed for refusing to do so.