Dominican Lawyer Ricardo Rojas León Defends New Penal Code

Attorney and journalist Ricardo Rojas León defended the Dominican Republic’s new Penal Code, insisting it does not constitute a “gag law.” He explained that the legislation targets defamation, injury to honor, and related offenses while preserving free speech, noting that false information is not automatically defamatory if the publisher exercised professional verification.

Rojas León emphasized that digital platforms are not exempt from regulation and that the code must balance freedom of expression with rights to honor, image, and privacy. He argued that delaying the law would weaken tools against corruption and organized crime, urging citizens to read the code before forming opinions.