Bolivian judge refers privacy lawsuit against journalist to Press Tribunal

Judge Grover Serrudo Leaño of the Montero Public Family Court has declared himself incompetent to rule on a privacy protection action filed against journalist Cinthia Ñandauca Mendoza. The judge ruled that the case must instead be submitted to a Press Tribunal (Tribunal de Imprenta).

The lawsuit was initiated by a lawyer and his assistant following Ñandauca’s reporting on an alleged fraud involving irregular payments. Defense attorneys Germán Lino and Elisabeth Aramayo stated that the decision aligns with the Political Constitution of the State and the Press Law. They argued that journalistic professional conduct should be subject to self-regulatory bodies rather than ordinary justice to prevent undue pressure on the media.

The National Press Association (ANP) supported the stance, asserting that responsibility for published content should be handled by press tribunals to protect freedom of expression and the public's right to information regarding corruption.