07 October 2010

BOLIVIA: 1ST UPDATE: Morales Signs Racism Law After Newspaper Protest; Sorta Apologizes For Poor Soccer Behavior.

NEW LINK/  REUTERS/ 08 Oct./
     President Evo Morales has signed a controversial anti-racism law.
     Many major newspapers protested yesterday. They said it threatens press freedom. They left their front pages blank except for the slogan: "There is no democracy without freedom of expression."
    The law gives the government the power to shut down media outlets found guilty of racism.
  President Morales contends it will help reverse centuries of discrimination against Bolivia's indigenous majority.
   As for his recent poor soccer behavior, kneeing an opponent in the groin, caught on video and seen by millions, Morales sort of apologized, calling it a "trap."
   "The player who kicked me started to insult me and offend me and I very much regret my reaction," Morales said. "I ask forgiveness to the sportsmen, to the players, to the player. But after kicking me, it was another insult, a reaction. "Again, I ask for forgiveness. Sport is integration, but later I realized it was a trap," Morales said.