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Press Freedom

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Criminal investigations against journalists: Nicaraguan government's fortified strategy to persecute the press

In one of the most aggressive actions against the independent press in Nicaragua, the country's public prosecutor, close to the administration of President Daniel Ortega, has called at least 16 journalists from the country as witnesses or has named them among those investigated in a case of alleged money laundering.

Nicaraguan flag

Nicaraguan police raid Confidencial’s newsroom for second time

In a new assault on the Nicaraguan press, this May 20 the government of Daniel Ortega raided for the second time the editorial office of magazine Confidencial, founded by journalist Carlos Fernando Chamorro, at the same time that it arrested different international journalists who they covered the incident. A cameraman for the media outlet remains missing.

Candidatos a la presidencia de Perú, Pedro Castillo y Keiko Fujimori.

Dismissal of news director of Peru's main television stations worsens credibility crisis in the press during polarized elections

After nine years in her position, Colombian journalist Clara Elvira Ospina was fired as journalistic director of América TV and Canal N, two of the most important television outlets in Peru, which also belong to Grupo La República and Grupo El Comercio, the latter being the majority shareholder. Ospina's dismissal occurred just a month before the second round of the presidential elections, in an extremely polarizing contest.

Info as a public good banner

On World Press Freedom Day, UNESCO Director General talks to LJR and calls for efforts to empower individuals to think 'more critically' about origin of information found online

LatAm Journalism Review spoke with UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay about advances in recent years, the situation for journalists on the American continent and the organization’s alliance with the Knight Center in seeking to strengthen journalism and reporting.

El Nacional building

Miguel Henrique Otero says El Nacional will bring case to international bodies following multi-million dollar verdict against it

On April 16, a Venezuelan supreme tribunal ordered El Nacional to pay compensation to the vice president of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), Diosdado Cabello, considered the number two of Chavismo, for moral damage and defamation.

Map shows global press freedom situation. Source: RSF

Latin American countries fall in global press freedom ranking

The global press freedom ranking by NGO Reporters Without Borders (RSF) confirmed a perceived trend in Latin America: a general worsening of conditions for the exercise of journalism on the continent. Of the 24 countries in the region analyzed, 19 lost points in the RSF survey.

Featured Image Marty Baron

U.S. editor Marty Baron promises to advocate for Latin American press upon receiving Chapultepec Grand Prize

Upon accepting the 2021 Chapultepec Grand Prize, editor Marty Baron recognized not only his own objective of fighting for an independent press to ensure democracy, but the battles waged by his Latin American colleagues to do the same.

Reporter holding a COVID vaccine vial

In deadliest region for journalists due to COVID-19, Latin American press associations ask governments for vaccines

Journalistic associations in Latin America have been asking their governments to recognize journalism as a necessary profession for information during the pandemic. The region is the most deadly in the world for journalists in terms of deaths caused by COVID-19.

Tribute to those killed during citizen protests in Nicaragua April 2018

April marks three years of social crisis in Nicaragua; journalists tell what it's like to work under repression from the regime

The demonstrations are a milestone in the country, because, after them, the Nicaraguan regime and supporters of the governing party, the Sandinista National Liberation Front, turned against the press and opponents.

Hands tied together with rope on a black background

Two Brazilian journalist associations launch initiatives against judicial harassment

The Brazilian Press Association filed two lawsuits with the Federal Supreme Court to curb the abuse of lawsuits against journalists. The Brazilian Association of Investigative Journalism launched a program to provide legal support to independent journalists targeted by lawsuits.

Kenton Chance reporting in front of street covered in ash

Journalists in St. Vincent fight ash and with limited resources to cover historic eruption of volcano in middle of pandemic

Journalists on the 150 square mile island of St. Vincent are showing how residents are grappling with the continuing eruptions of La Soufrière, fallen ash, evacuations, water shortages and damage to homes in the midst of a global pandemic.

Antony Blinken

U.S. State Department report on human rights and press freedom around the world draws ire of some Latin American leaders

Governments of several Latin American countries have struck back after the U.S. State Department released its report on human rights practices around the world, including comments regarding freedoms of expression and of the press. However, the annual reports, which are now in their 45th edition, are welcomed by press freedom and journalism groups in nations […]