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Press Freedom

A photographer wearing a press vest photographs a protest.

Central American editors discuss strategies for preserving wellbeing and safety of newsrooms in hostile environments

Directors of El Faro (El Salvador) and Confidencial (Nicaragua) pointed to risk assessment, complete trust between editors and reporters, legal defense and psychological support as fundamental elements to preserve the well-being and safety of their teams in the face of harassment, threats and criminalization.

Cabot prizes medal

Maria Moors Cabot Prizes Board condemns criminalization of independent journalism in Latin America

The board of directors of the Maria Moors Cabot Prizes, the oldest international journalism awards in the world, drew attention to the cases of persecution against Gustavo Gorriti, from Peru; José Rubén Zamora, from Guatemala and the team of the Venezuelan investigative journalism organization Armando.info.

graphics of a press pass and a judge and Paraguay map in the background

Paraguayan journalists face judicial criminalization, threats for their work

The Inter American Press Association (IAPA), in its mid-year report on the state of press freedom in the Americas, warned about judicial criminalization and the threats suffered by journalists in Paraguay. LJR spoke with journalists in the country who have been intimidated for doing their work.

World Press Freedom Day focuses on safety of environmental journalists: more than 70% of those surveyed had been attacked

The connection between press freedom and the many challenges facing the planet – including climate change – is the theme for the 2024 World Press Freedom Day. Under the motto “A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the face of the environmental crisis,” May 3 arrives with discussions on how to guarantee journalists’ work as well as strategies to confront disinformation and denial of climate change.

Shirt with phrase no journalist criminalization

Despite positive signs from new president, threats, violence and criminalization of the press continue in Guatemala

During the first quarter of 2024, the Observatory of Journalists in Guatemala recorded 22 attacks and restrictions on the press. Although there has been a small improvement compared to the same period last year, organizations and journalists remain concerned about the criminalization of the profession in the country.

Four people sitting at stage

War and corruption coverage expose journalists to risk in Slovakia, Haiti, Nigeria and Ukraine, say panelists at 25th ISOJ

Journalists reporting in Slovakia, Haiti, Nigeria and Ukraine shared at the 25th International Symposium on Online Journalism about attacks on press freedom due to their coverage of corruption and violence.

Illustration depicting a bloody microphone entangled in a knot of barbed wire. (Photo: Courtesy CONNECTAS)

From discredit to censorship, what happens when power comes after the press in Latin America

With their campaigns against independent media, the governments of several Latin American countries are beginning to threaten press freedom. Can Nicolás Maduro and Daniel Ortega's extreme of media blockages and closures be replicated?

López Obrador's mañaneras in Mexico a unique form of communication marked by attacks on the press

The morning press conferences held by the Mexican president are part of a communication strategy recognized as “unique” not only in his country but in the region. And although they emerged as a promise to improve transparency and communication, their critics see them as spaces to attack the media, journalists and even spread disinformation.

Costa Rica map and exile sign

Exiled journalists in Costa Rica find new challenges to security and economic stability

Hundreds of Central American journalists have gone into exile in Costa Rica because they consider it a safe country for journalism. But, the situation has taken a turn as press freedom and security in that country has worsened. Some exiled journalists have decided to seek refuge in other countries and to leave the profession.

journalists protesting in front of telam's offices

Télam workers mobilize as Argentine government draws up plan to close state news agency

Since March 4, the headquarters of the Argentine state news agency Télam have been surrounded by police. Its employees have been suspended, its services have been interrupted and its website is down. Télam workers are mobilizing in public events, publishing an alternative website and preparing a bill to defend the agency.

Photo of a middle aged man wearing a blue shirt against the national flag of Brazil

Journalists who criticize Brazilian governor face investigations and legal proceedings; the Supreme Court intervenes

Eighteen journalists in Brazil face legal cases after publishing about the state governor of Mato Grosso, Mauro Mendes. They argue that the police and judicial apparatus of the state is being used to silence voices that publish information unfavorable to the governor.

Despite ‘unfair’ trial and conviction that was annulled, Guatemalan journalist José Rubén Zamora remains in prison

José Rubén Zamora Marroquín has already spent more than 570 days in the Mariscal Zavala prison in Guatemala despite having his sentence annulled. Added to that is the fact that various national and international organizations have highlighted the violations of human rights and international law throughout his case. In what seems to be the most recent strategy […]