Moreno says he will make weekly reports to the nation, reaches out to the news media

In a press conference Monday, President Lenin Moreno announced he will provide a weekly televised report to the nation. Unlike the three-hour, live-audience presentations of his predecessor, Rafael Correa, Moreno said his event will be 10 to 15 minutes, and focus on a limited number of topics.

Lenin Moreno at Monday news conference.

The weekly report will be Monday nights at 8.

During the press conference, Moreno asked members of the private news media to offer suggestions for changes to Ecuador’s Communication Law. He said the suggestions would be considered along with those offered by members of his administration for amending the law.

The Communication Law, championed by Correa, has been a major point of contention between the government and news media since it was enacted in 2013. Under the law, print and broadcast media have been fined for actions that the government objected to

Moreno also said he has instructed cabinet members and department heads to maintain open lines of communication with the media. “The government has an obligation to maintain a permanent link to the public through the news media and it is my intention to improve the relationship with the media and keep those channels open,” he said.