( CNN ) -- Court proceedings began Tuesday in a high-profile libel lawsuit that pits Ecuador 's president against one of the nation 's largest newspapers . Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa is seeking $ 80 million in damages from El Universo newspaper and its staff . He also wants a judge to impose three-year prison sentences on the newspaper 's directors and its former opinion editor . A judge is scheduled to rule Friday in the case , which has drawn international attention from press-freedom advocates , who say Correa aims to crack down on critics by restricting the media . Correa filed the lawsuit after El Universo published in February a column by the newspaper 's then-opinion editor , titled , `` No to lies . '' The column called Correa a dictator and claimed that the president had ordered security forces to open fire at a hospital full of civilians last September . Correa said Tuesday that the article 's claims were untrue , baseless and `` an outrage , '' according to the state-run El Ciudadano government information website . The president told reporters that he hopes the case will set a precedent . `` This fight is for true freedom of expression , '' he said , a concept that he said has become `` an excuse and cover for cowards who , behind an inkwell , think they can destroy others ' honor . '' Tuesday 's court proceedings were closed to the media . Pedro Valverde , an attorney representing El Universo , told CNN en Español that the newspaper was not given an opportunity to fully present its side . `` The process is plagued with legal inconsistencies , '' he said . The newspaper remains `` faithful to its principle of freedom of expression , '' he said , arguing that the publication 's policies indicate that its directors have no influence on the content of its columns . Emilio Palacio , the paper 's former opinion editor , resigned from his post at El Universo last week , saying he was innocent but wanted the lawsuit to end . In March he told CNN en Español that he stood by his column . `` I confirm what I wrote , every letter , '' he said . On Tuesday the newspaper 's directors offered to print a correction . `` Since it is impossible for us to correct assertions that were not ours -- and without being able to anticipate what correction would fit with what you are thinking -- we offer that you send us the text of the correction you demand in order to print it in El Universo , on the day and in the location that you require , '' they said in a letter to Correa posted on the paper 's website . `` We hope that with this offer ... you will end this trial , '' they concluded . Correa rejected the offer , noting that the newspaper already had plenty of time to print a correction , but had not done so . `` The moment of gentlemen , of people who have ethics , has already passed , '' he said , according to El Ciudadano . El Universo , an 89-year-old , family-run newspaper , is based in Ecuador 's Guayaquil province . Its website showed pictures Tuesday of what it described as a demonstration supporting the publication and criticizing Correa . `` Today it is El Universo . Tomorrow it will be you , '' one demonstrator 's sign said . Ecuador 's government information website also showed images of a demonstration , saying Guayaquil residents were supporting Correa and his lawsuit . Protesters in a video posted on the site chanted `` Corrupt press , no more ! '' Press-freedom advocates have criticized the case and other recent efforts to regulate media in Ecuador . In a statement Tuesday , the Inter American Press Association criticized `` the ongoing harassment of the Ecuador 's independent press through excessive and disproportionate legal suits by President Rafael Correa . '' The Committee to Protect Journalists also weighed in on the libel lawsuit shortly after Correa filed it . `` Ecuador 's outdated criminal defamation provisions have been systematically used to punish critical journalists , '' the New York-based organization said in a March statement . CNN en Español 's Fernando del Rincon contributed to this report .
Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa accuses El Universo of libel . An opinion column in the newspaper sparked the lawsuit . Both sides say they are fighting for freedom of expression . El Universo offers to print a correction , but Correa says it 's too late .