Freedom of Speech in Ecuador
Freedom of speech and the press are protected under Ecuador's constitution, but libel and defamation are criminal offenses. In recent years, President Correa has filed criminal and civil cases against journalists and newspapers.
European Migrants
Bonil is considered one of Ecuador's most respected cartoonists, known for his commentary on global as well as domestic issues. His run-ins with President Correa leave journalists in Ecuador concerned about the future of press freedom in their country.
Charlie Hebdo
After the shooting at Charlie Hebdo magazine in January 2015, the Ecuadorian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement condemning the attack. Bonil has since received a death threat, which he attributes to Ecuador's climate of oppression and fear.
FIFA Soccer Scandal
President Correa called the 2015 FIFA soccer scandal an "embarrassment to the [Latin American] region." But Ecuador (#108 out of 180) ranks lower than FIFA defendants Brazil (#99) and Uruguay (#23) in the 2015 Reporters without Borders Press Freedom Index.
A Bull on a Leash
President Correa claimed the 2013 Ecuadorian Communications Law would bring more "good press" in Ecuador. In reality, it imposed regulations that restricted free speech and gave President Correa even more control over the media.
Who Holds the Megaphone?
In Ecuador, President Correa regularly denounces journalists and the press on his weekly television and radio broadcasts, which even private media outlets are strongly encouraged to air.
In Ecuador, which ranks #108 out of 180 countries in Reporters without Borders’ 2015 Press Freedom Index, journalists and cartoonists are subjected to intimidation and harassment from the country’s president, Rafael Correa. Xavier Bonilla, who publishes under the penname “Bonil,” is one of the most widely respected political cartoonists in the region. President Correa has called him a liar and fined El Universo newspaper for publishing his work. The government has also charged Bonil with “socioeconomic discrimination.” Due to what Bonil calls Correa’s “discourse of hatred,” the cartoonist has received a death threat from a student claiming to be a member of ISIS. He says the repeated persecution has increased the “subtlety” of his work, so that he relies more on symbols to convey his message.
Bonil shared some of his cartoons with Sampsonia Way. All cartoons are republished with his permission. See more of his work here, and read his interview with Sampsonia Wayhere.
