The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry has made a call for responsible journalism following a spate of news stories in government connected media using leaked banking documents. In recent weeks several media houses in Belize connected to the ruling United Democratic Party have been publishing reports questioning the stability of Belize’s banking sector. One of the banks being targeted is an institution that has several lawsuits pending against the government of Belize.

In a press release issued yesterday evening the BCCI states:

“The Chamber expresses extreme concern at the recent breach of confidentiality and extreme lack of judgement demonstrated by members of the media in releasing private portfolio lending information of our banking institutions. Customers entering into a private financial transaction with a bank or other financial institution, be they businesses or individual borrowers, are assured privacy and confidentiality of the arrangement and expect no less. [Read more...]