Silvia A. Higuera Flórez is a Colombian journalist interested in covering Latin American issues and human rights, especially the right to freedom of expression, and investigative journalism. She studied Social Communication and Journalism at Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana in Bucaramanga (Colombia), and received her Master's of Arts in Journalism from the University of Texas at Austin in 2015. She worked with the Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) under the Orlando Sierra fellowship during 2014. She also worked for the Colombian newspaper Vanguardia Liberal and wrote for different magazines about local, economic and public order issues. Her work has also appeared in The Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald of Miami. Email: silvia.knightcenter@gmail.com
Silvia A. Higuera Flórez es una periodista colombiana con interés periodístico es América Latina y los derechos humanos, particularmente el derecho a la libertad de expresión, así como el periodismo de investigación. Estudió Comunicación Social – Periodismo en la Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana de Bucaramanga (Colombia), y recibió su maestría en Periodismo en la Universidad de Texas, en Austin en 2015. Trabajó para la Relatoría Especial para la Libertad de Expresión de la Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos (CIDH) en el marco de la beca Orlando Sierra, durante 2014. También hizo parte del diario Vanguardia Liberal y escribió para otras revistas colombianas cubriendo fuentes locales, económicas y judiciales. Algunos de sus trabajos han aparecido en The Miami Herald y El Nuevo Herald de Miami.
Silvia A. Higuera Flórez é uma jornalista colombiana e seu interesse jornalístico é a América Latina e os direitos humanos, nomeadamente o direito à liberdade de expressão. Estudou Comunicação Social – Jornalismo na Universidade Pontifícia Bolivariana de Bucaramanga, na Colômbia e completou seu mestrado em jornalismo na Universidade do Texas em Austin. Silvia trabalhou na Relatoria para a Liberdade de Expressão da CIDH pela bolsa Orlando Sierra, em 2014. Trabalhou para o jornal Vanguardia Liberal e escreveu para outras revistas colombianas cobrindo temas locais, econômicas e judiciárias. Alguns de seus trabalhos apareceram no The Miami Herald e no El Nuevo Herald de Miami.
Although a new report from Voces del Sur recorded fewer attacks on the press in 2024, press freedom is not improving. Violence and harassment persist, and more journalists are turning to self-censorship or exile.
Our annual roundup for 2025 features fellowships and opportunities for Latin American journalists seeking to strengthen their skills or develop projects that advance journalism in the region.
Jaime Abello Banfi's work at the helm of the Gabo Foundation earned him a Special Citation from the Maria Moors Cabot Prize. In an interview with LJR, he discussed the state of journalism, the disillusionment between journalism and audiences and the foundation's future.
As Bolivia prepares to elect a new president, journalists face escalating threats while navigating a polarized landscape shaped by disinformation, political attacks and gender-based aggression.
The Salvadoran Journalists Association says it can no longer report attacks on freedom of expression from within the country, citing a law that "criminalizes" them and restricts foreign funding.
For the Miami Herald, Gámez Torres has exposed espionage, the Havana Syndrome and the finances of Cuba’s armed forces. Long a target of Havana’s criticism, her relentless reporting now earns her the Maria Moors Cabot Gold Medal from Columbia University.
A new report says community media — mostly Indigenous — face harassment and censorship for exposing abuses by transnational corporations, even after a landmark court ruling ordered their protection.
Organizations and families who have spent decades demanding justice for murdered and missing journalists fear the law will block access to justice.
A new study shows 47% of Chile’s towns lack sufficient local journalism. But in the south, online outlets are informing communities with local news and investigations.
For Daniel Chaparro Díaz, a personal quest to understand his father's murder has become a professional mission to preserve the memory of Colombian journalists killed for their work.