The free speech advocacy organization Fundamedios documented more than 10 cases of journalists facing obstacles to reporting on Ecuador’s presidential election on February 9.
Restrictions included being prevented from filming inside polling stations, according to their records. At least three journalists were removed from the premises and forced to delete footage. In other cases, electoral authorities refused to speak with the press, and by the end of the day, filming the vote count was banned.
In one of the most serious incidents, Fundamedios reported the “arbitrary detention or abduction, intimidation, and confiscation of work equipment from a journalist.” In Imbabura province, a journalist from the community outlet APAK TV was detained by an alleged soldier, stripped of their equipment, and forcibly taken to another city.
