Bolivian journalists protest bill on news restrictions

Journalists rallied against a bill that would allow Bolivian President Evo Morales' government broad rights not to disclose news considered too sensitive for the public.
Bolivia, South America's poorest nation and led by leftist Morales, is one of the countries that has offered asylum to US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden, who has temporary asylum in Russia.
The "Public Information Access Bill" would allow ministries, local governments, mayors and military authorities to declare developments off-limits as they see fit.
They would then not be required to disclose that news to the public or media.
"We in the news media have mobilised to speak out" against the bill, said Hugo Bellido in Santa Cruz yesterday, complaining that reporters were not consulted or informed about details of the bill which many feel could hinder them from doing their job properly.

Similar protests were held in La Paz, Cochabamba, Sucre and Oruro, local journalists said.