 An editorial in "The New York Times" described the verdict as "a staggering, shameful blow to the country’s democracy", while Reporters Without Borders called it "draconian" and a "grave legal precedent".Correa, in contrast, described the verdict as a blow to the "dictatorship" of a corrupt press.On 27 February 2012, Correa pardoned the four defendants, stating that he had "never wanted this trial" but only wanted the public to know the truth.