On May 9, the Honduran Congress set for June the entry into force of a controversial reform of the Penal Code approved last year. The reform will bring stiffer penalties for crimes of slander and libel when “carried out through print, television, radio, internet, information networks, in front of a multitude of people or through other means of similar effectiveness”. Journalists or those who express “critical ideas and opinions” could be exposed to prison terms from 200 to 500 days, or may face fines. Various civil society organizations and factions of the press have criticized the new Code calling it a threat to freedom of expression and opinion. Its entry into force was initially scheduled for May, but deputies postponed it to “receive contributions from civil society” and to “train the Judiciary.” Interested parties may still present their observations on the reform to Congress until June 25