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Press Freedom

Judge denies request to terminate criminal proceedings against journalist accused of defaming former Colombian president

"The 22nd Criminal Court of Bogotá ratified in the second instance the denial of [early termination of criminal proceedings] in a case of aggravated slander against journalist Julián Martínez. The request to terminate the criminal proceedings had been filed by the Attorney General's Office in favor of Martínez, a renowned independent journalist who has published […]

Guatemalan Supreme Court accepts legal appeal for journalist José Rubén Zamora, although his release from prison is unresolved

"Guatemala’s Supreme Court has accepted a legal appeal (amparo) filed by the defense of journalist José Rubén Zamora Marroquín, challenging a ruling by an Appeals Court that ordered his preventive detention. However, his release from prison has yet to be resolved. In a statement released Sunday [June 29], the Supreme Court announced it had provisionally […]

Chilean court acquits journalist in defamation suit filed by former city council candidate

"The Seventh Guarantee Court of Santiago acquitted journalist and former editor of El Ciudadano, Josefa Barraza, of the complaint filed against her by Claudio Vargas Palma, former city council candidate for the National Renewal party in the municipality of Santiago. The information was provided by the same professional: 'It was proven that there was no […]

Pope Leo XIV thanks Paola Ugaz and other Peruvian journalists who denounced abuse in the Church

Pope Leo XIV has sent a strong message of support to the Peruvian journalists who investigated and denounced abuse by members of the Church. "The victims of the former spiritual family of the Sodalitium, along with the journalists who supported them with courage, patience, and commitment to the truth, reflect the wounded yet hopeful face […]

Serious international concern over the growing deterioration of press freedom in El Salvador

“The undersigned organizations express our deep alarm at the accelerated deterioration of press freedom in El Salvador, which has intensified significantly in recent weeks. The Association of Journalists of El Salvador (APES, for its Spanish acronym) has documented the forced displacement of at least 40 journalists because of a sustained pattern of harassment, intimidation, and […]

Ecuadoran journalists warn new intelligence law may force disclosure

"The Organic Law of Intelligence in Ecuador is ready to be go into effect once it's published in the Official Gazette, but several of its articles worry the journalistic community due to how it may impact many of its activities. It is comprised of 58 articles, general, transitory and derogatory provisions, of which several are […]

Colombian journalist Vicky Dávila launches presidential bid as right-wing independent

“Colombian journalist Vicky Dávila registered her Valientes Movement on Tuesday, June 17, with the national electoral authority. The independent initiative will collect signatures to support her candidacy in Colombia’s presidential elections next year. Dávila, who built her career at several national media outlets, stepped down last year as editor of the conservative Semana magazine. She […]

Mexican journalist charged with inciting hatred against local governor, barred from practicing journalism

"Judge Guadalupe Martínez Taboada ordered the prosecution of journalist Jorge Luis González Valdez, former editor of the newspaper Tribuna, for allegedly inciting hatred and violence against the governor [of the Mexican state of Campeche] Layda Sansores. The judge also ordered the closure of the online platform and prohibited González Valdez from practicing journalism. In an […]

Violeta Barrios de Chamorro, ex-president who championed independent journalism in Nicaragua, dies at 95

Former Nicaraguan President Violeta Barrios de Chamorro died Saturday, June 14, at the age of 95. In addition to her contributions to politics, her legacy in defending free expression and independent journalism left a lasting mark on the country’s recent history. Barrios de Chamorro took on a key role at the newspaper La Prensa after […]

Journalist in Bolivia threatened with death as tensions rise over Morales candidacy

“A protester marching alongside supporters of former President Evo Morales in the city of Cochabamba threatened to set fire to news outlets that do not cover their demand for President Luis Arce’s resignation. Meanwhile, in Yapacaní (Santa Cruz), a journalist received a death threat. As roadblocks on major highways and marches by Morales supporters continued […]

Following ruling against former Argentine President Cristina Kirchner, hooded individuals vandalize facilities of channel TN

“The Association of Argentine Journalistic Entities (ADEPA, for its acronym in Spanish) expressed its solidarity with Todo Noticias following damage suffered by the channel this Tuesday [June 10], after the Supreme Court ratified the six-year prison sentence for [former President] Cristina Kirchner. [...] Hours after the Supreme Court's decision was announced, a group of Kirchnerist […]

IAPA demands Venezuela immediately release three journalists 'detained for reporting'

“The Inter-American Press Association (IAPA) on Tuesday [June 10] demanded that Venezuela immediately release three journalists from the South American country ‘detained for reporting’ over the past two months in ‘a context of growing repression against the independent press.’ In a statement, the Miami-based organization 'strongly' condemned  the 'forced disappearance and subsequent arbitrary detention' of […]