It was a tumultuous year for journalists in Latin America and the Caribbean. As political, social and economic crises gripped many parts of the region, press freedom often suffered. Hundreds were forced into exile, dozens jailed or taken to court, and most seriously, almost 20 were killed. Others saw huge funding cuts that threatened sustainability.
Despite this, journalists and journalism resisted and innovated with their business models, storytelling and distribution methods, and are rethinking how to connect with audiences.
Our charge at LatAm Journalism Review (LJR) is to elevate these stories and monitor the actions and actors who are attempting to restrict journalists’ work.
This year, we published 223 articles, interviews and resource lists on journalism innovation and press freedom in the region. We also published 615 news monitor posts.
Our articles were republished by outlets like the Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN), MediaTalks, IJNet, IDL-Reporteros, La Patilla and Prensa Comunitaria.
As we do every year, each LJR selected their most memorable stories and highlighted others written by their colleagues.
We also listed the articles that most captivated our audience and ranked among the most-read pieces of the year.
Silvia Higuera Flórez
As is often the case with LJR's coverage, this year was marked by stories about restrictions on press freedom in the region, some victories as well, and of course, people who inspire through their work.
Two of my articles that I'm highlighting this year are related to this. For example, once I learned about the case of Nicaraguan journalist Fabiola Tercero in 2024, when press freedom organizations reported her disappearance, I started following it. The silence of the country's authorities, and her own silence, led to fears of the worst. When, on Nov. 11, 2025, state-run media showed images of her alive, at her home, and participating in a press conference in which she claimed she had always been there, it was a relief. However, the circumstances of her reappearance raised more questions than answers, and instead serve as evidence of what Nicaraguan journalists have had to face for decades.
With a more optimistic spirit and despite a tragic backstory, I had the pleasure of speaking with and learning about Colombian historian Daniel Chaparro. Throughout his professional career, quite unintentionally, he has dedicated himself to keeping alive the memory of journalists murdered in Colombia, beginning with that of his father, journalist Julio Daniel Chaparro. When Daniel was just a child, he had to confront the murder of his father, and given the few memories he had to remember him by, he began his first task of preserving memory with his own personal recollections.
My colleagues have also written stories about journalists and initiatives that inspired them through their creative and innovative work, but above all, through their social impact. César López Linares, for example, told us how media outlets like Mongabay Latam and Rutas del Conflicto are using artificial intelligence tools and resources such as “stand-up journalism” to reach wider audiences and share the findings of their investigations. In this particular story, he describes the process these media outlets are following to report on their investigation into violence in the Peruvian Amazon.
Another colleague, André Duchiade, published a story that illustrates the impact investigative journalism can have. He spoke with two Brazilian journalists who uncovered a multi-million dollar fraud in the country's pension system, the largest in Brazilian history. As a result of their investigation, the Minister of Social Security was dismissed, and the defrauded pensioners had their money returned.
César López Linares
I really enjoyed writing this article because it highlights how, amidst a widespread emergency for the press, Venezuelan journalists are combating the information gaps that persist in their country's border regions, using innovative and community-based approaches. The "Contar Fronteras" initiative demonstrates a highly commendable effort by the participating media outlets to train young journalists to cover hyper-local issues with a focus on human rights.
Furthermore, the article discusses how Venezuelan journalists adapt to limitations and censorship to deliver relevant information to communities, even using basic tools such as paper and markers.
The proposal from Jazmín Acuña of El Surti, in Paraguay, for "Change-Centric Journalism," covered by my colleague Marta Szpacenkopf, is highly relevant for Latin American journalists. In a region where misinformation manipulates public debate and trust in the media is declining, Acuña’s approach invites us to rethink our role, shifting from simply producing content to becoming facilitators of social transformation.
The article presents a way in which we, through our journalistic work, can contribute to rebuilding the foundations of public life and strengthening democracy.
While authoritarian leaders in Latin America insist on discrediting and criminalizing the press, this article gave journalists who have been repeatedly attacked and persecuted the opportunity to explain why these leaders' accusations are unfounded and only seek to undermine media and hinder their work of holding those in power accountable.
In the context of the withdrawal of USAID financial support ordered by President Donald Trump at the beginning of his term, the article also provided an opportunity to explain that funding for international cooperation does not imply manipulation of the media agenda, but rather a convergence of objectives in promoting democracy and transparency.
This article by Katherine Pennacchio is particularly relevant to journalism in the region because it highlights a current reality that many colleagues face but is rarely acknowledged: the migratory vulnerability of reporters who depend on their mobility to do their jobs. The testimonies presented in this article show how recent political decisions in the United States directly affect the freedom of movement, job security, and even the personal safety of journalists.
The article serves as a reminder that, in Latin America, journalism is also deeply affected by migratory factors that influence the ability to practice the profession.
Marta Szpacenkopf
In 2025, one of the news stories that impacted me the most revealed that more than 900 journalists from Latin America were forced into exile to protect their lives and safety. The number is striking, but the real impact is evident in the accounts of those who had to leave everything behind due to political persecution, threats and restrictions on freedom of the press. The article, written by my colleague César López Linares, shows the increase in repression against the press in the region in recent years, and the resilience of professionals who remain committed to journalism even far from home, often without guarantees of safety, stability or recognition.
I also highlight an article that discussed violence suffered by women journalists in Argentina and how it is linked to the reduction of freedom of expression in the country. The article showed how physical, digital and psychological attacks disproportionately affect women professionals, creating additional layers of risk in a profession already marked by hostility. The report sought to bring visibility to a structural problem in Argentina that continues to be neglected by authorities and press organizations and reinforces the urgency of protection mechanisms for women, an issue that also affects other countries in the region.
Among the reports on innovation in journalism, I highlight my article about the course in Rio de Janeiro that helped older adults identify scams and misinformation. In a country where this group is frequently targeted by fraud and fake news, initiatives that strengthen their digital autonomy are essential. The article shows how partnerships between the press, academia and the government can create effective and replicable models of media literacy education aimed at an audience that is not usually prioritized for this type of initiative.
Finally, this article about journalists using podcasts to show the behind-the-scenes aspects of their work highlighted an important trend in the effort to rebuild trust with the public. By opening up about their editorial processes, explaining decisions and engaging directly with the audience, these professionals are helping to reduce the distance between newsrooms and citizens. In an environment marked by misinformation and skepticism, transparency and open conversations have proven to be valuable tools for strengthening the bond between journalists and society.
Other notable stories of 2025
Twenty years later, Brazilian journalist reveals identity of woman whose story captured the country
10 advanced AI concepts every journalist should know (and how they can be applied in the newsroom)
Days before Pope Francis’ death, church formally dissolves Peruvian group exposed by journalists
Bukele escalates crackdown as Salvadoran press faces critical moment
Journalists in Venezuela face arrests and digital blocking as Maduro takes office for third time
Meta will use fact checkers in Latin America for now, but journalists are bracing for what’s next
For Nicaraguan journalists, exile and statelessness are the cost of reporting amid repression
