Assange and his supporters have billed WikiLeaks as anInternet-age whistle-blowing tool that exposes the misdeeds of the powerful. Butwhile "Correa is committed to the defense of freedom of expression forAssange," said political analyst and former education minister VladimiroAlvarez, "he doesn't respect it in Ecuador. His government is pressuringthe media and attacking journalists who challenge his politics."
The US-based Committee to Protect Journalists has accusedCorrea of shutting down critical radio stations, passing laws to restrictcampaign coverage ahead of February 13 elections and using state media to bullycritics. "Correa's press freedom record is among the very worst in theAmericas, and providing asylum to the WikiLeaks founder won't change therepressive conditions facing Ecuadoran journalists who want to reportcritically about government policies and practices," the group said on itswebsite.
Correa, a leftist leader in power since 2007, enjoyswidespread popularity for his social programs, but has frequently clashed withprivate media, which he has called "corrupt" and accused of trying todestabilize his government. He waged a long legal battle with the opposition ElUniverso newspaper over an article accusing Correa of "crimes againsthumanity" in his response to a 2010 police mutiny, violence that left 10dead and 274 wounded. A court sentenced the paper's three top executives andformer opinion page editor -- all of whom have sought asylum outside thecountry -- to three years in prison, and awarded Correa $40 million in damagesfor libel.
Correa pardoned the three in February after an outcry byhuman rights and media freedom groups, and he pardoned two other reporterssentenced to pay him $2 million over a book on his brother's public contracts. Butcritics say the cases have sent a chilling signal to opposition media andundermine claims that Correa is defending freedom of expression in offeringAssange asylum.
Correa, who is often at odds with Washington, himself, hasexpressed a sense of solidarity with Assange, a sentiment the Australian formerhacker has returned. It's a risky move, however, as the affair could harmEcuador's relationship with Britain and potentially with the United States,which has accused WikiLeaks of harming its national security by publishing atrove of secret war reports from Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as countlessconfidential diplomatic cables. Correa "has a concept of free expressionthat's unlike that of the rest of the world. For him, whoever criticizes him ishis enemy," Perez said.
