“The Association of Journalists of El Salvador (APES, for its acronym in Spanish) denounces the progression -- despite the legal barriers that protect journalism -- of the judicial process filed by businessman Yakov Fauster against media outlet El Diario de Hoy (EDH) and against journalist Jorge Beltrán Luna. This is a case that began in June 2023 and seeks the imposition of a fine of US$10 million against the media outlet and the journalist, an action that constitutes a direct attack on press freedom and a flagrant attempt to silence journalists through abuse of the judicial system in the country.
[…]
The case is of great relevance due to the disastrous precedent that could be set for the journalistic profession in El Salvador if a ruling is made against the outlet and the journalist. If this process is allowed to prosper, we could face a scenario where journalists will be subject to future lawsuits for 'moral damage' simply for exercising their informative duty in Salvadoran society."
