Madrid - The Inter-American Press Society (SIP) warned Tuesday of increasing violence and pressure against journalists in Latin America.

The association concluded its five-day 64th general assembly that brought more than 500 American and European media owners, directors and other representatives to the Spanish capital Madrid.

Press freedom has suffered this year in Latin America, where eight journalists were killed in Bolivia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico and Venezuela, SIP said.

Relations between governments and the media have deteriorated, with authorities using "constant and systematic verbal aggressions" against journalists, the association said.

Public funds were also used to pressure the media, and laws were circumvented to hamper public access to information, SIP complained.

In Mexico, drug traffickers wanted to impose "a law of silence" in many parts of the country, the association said.

SIP also expressed concern over attempts to restrict press freedom in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.

On closing the assembly, Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said his government would propose a law to guarantee the largest possible access of citizens to public information. (dpa)