Panama’s Electoral Tribunal and the regulation of electoral propaganda in digital media (2015-2019) El Tribunal Electoral de Panamá y la regulación de la propaganda electoral en medios digitales (2015-2019)

Abstract

This article describes the initial regulatory steps regarding electoral propaganda in digital media, following the 2017 reform to the Electoral Law. It also outlines the creation of institutional spaces such as the Digital Media Unit, later Center for Digital Studies and Monitoring, and self regulation proposals such as the Digital Ethical Pact, considered as actions taken by the electoral body in response to the growing weight of the internet and social media in daily life and, consequently, in Panama’s electoral processes. Finally, the article briefly presents the Electoral Tribunal’s management of electoral disinformation and citizen campaigns, and highlights the ongoing challenges in promoting the best uses of digital media and in regulating and sanctioning thier negative uses.