QUITO, (Reuters) - Two Ecuadorean journalists have been sentenced to pay $1 million each in damages for libeling socialist President Rafael Correa, who faces mounting criticism he uses courts to muzzle media.

The pugnacious Correa has been sparring with local media ever since he took office in January 2007 promising a “citizens’ revolution” in the South American OPEC member.

He often accuses the media of spreading lies to undermine his government and has called them “the real opposition,” while news organizations say he is trying to censor critics.

A civil court judge’s sentence against Juan Carlos Calderon and Christian Zurita stems from their publication of “Big Brother”, a book alleging Correa was aware that his older brother, Fabricio Correa, was awarded public contracts.

In Ecuador, it is illegal for the president’s close relatives to sign such deals.

“The sum is out of proportion, is absurd and irrational … This is the way in which they are punishing the work of journalists,” Calderon told local media yesterday, adding that the two authors would appeal the sentence.