Definition of Right of Reply

In the media communication Information about people is disseminated and what is said does not always correspond to the truth. Given this circumstance, the legal framework of many nations and the universal declaration of human rights contemplate the right to reply. As the term itself indicates, it consists of recognizing the right of everyone to defend themselves against possible defamation or defamation.

With the recognition of this right it is possible to defend the honor, the dignity and the integrity of the individual. Likewise, it is a right directly related to the freedom of expression.

A legal mechanism to combat the spread of false information

The media use freedom of expression to inform society as a whole of everything that may be of interest. However, sometimes the information that is disseminated is inaccurate or directly false. If such information affects a person's image, he or she can avail themselves of the right of reply. Thus, the person who considers himself unjustly treated has the possibility to defend himself.

The individual who considers himself affected by some inaccurate or false information about her person has the option of expressing himself freely to rectify what has been affirmed about him. In order for the right of reply to be effective, the person concerned must have access to the source of information that wronged him. Likewise, the law contemplates that he who considers himself offended in some sense can use the media that offended him in an equitable and analogous manner.

The recognition of this right is considered a legal advance

The media report within the general framework of freedom of expression. On the other hand, citizens have the right to be informed with criteria of truthfulness. It seeks to balance both realities, since if the possibility of rectification did not exist, the citizenship it could have biased, inaccurate or false information.

It must be understood within the general framework of the free expression of ideas. Thus, if all citizens without distinction can express themselves with full freedom, it is logical that there is a legislation that protects that freedom.

Aims to prevent abuse by the media

In other words, the different news media express themselves freely, but this does not mean that they can spread falsehoods with total impunity and without any type of limit.

The recognition of this right serves precisely as a legal limit to counteract the spread of falsehoods in the media.

Finally, it should be noted that the possibility of replication refers only to the dissemination of false data and not simple opinions (statements about specific facts are subject to possible rectification, but not opinions of type subjective).

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