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.
One year has passed since journalist Miguel Mendoza and 221 other political prisoners were banished from Nicaragua. From his new home in the U.S., Mendoza talks about the aftermath of his confinement and forced exile, as well as his career and special citation from the Cabot Prize.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) published its annual report on imprisoned journalists around the world. Although no country in Latin America and the Caribbean is on the list of “the worst jailers,” the report highlights three cases in the region and points out that media outlets and journalists there still face threats to carry out their work
The Foundation for Freedom of Expression and Democracy launched Sala de Edición, aimed at strengthening independent journalism in Nicaragua and Central America. Mentoring, editorial support, and guidance on the conceptualization of stories are some of the services provided.
Four Nicaraguan journalists spoke during the 16th Ibero-American Colloquium on Digital Journalism in the panel "Nicaragua: Journalists released from prison and banished" about the challenges of continuing their work outside their home country.
The 16th Ibero-American Colloquium on Digital Journalism will take place following the ISOJ on Sunday, April 16, 2023 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (U.S. Central Time) at UT Austin. The colloquium, which is held in Spanish, is free, but registration is required. So sign up today to attend in person or virtually.
Juan Lorenzo Holmann, former general manager of the newspaper La Prensa, is convinced that the newspaper, which is under siege by Daniel Ortega's regime, will rise up as it has done at other times in its history. He also hopes to be reunited with his wife in Nicaragua, from where he was deported to the United States along with more than 200 political prisoners.
Miguel Ángel Mendoza Urbina became a go-to source of information on social media on April 19, 2018, when anti-government protests erupted in Nicaragua. Mendoza’s work led to his arrest on June 21, 2021. Less than two years later, on Feb. 9, 2023, Mendoza was among 222 political prisoners unexpectedly released by Nicaraguan authorities and deported to the United States.
At least eight journalists, media entrepreneurs and journalism students were among the 222 political prisoners released and exiled to the United States, while Daniel Ortega's regime threatens to strip away their citizenship and rights as Nicaraguans.
Faced with the recent escalation of attacks on freedoms of the press and expression in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, journalists from these countries have come together to create the Red Centroamericana de Periodistas [Central American Network of Journalists]. Guatemalan Marielos Monzón, one of the Network’s founders, spoke to LatAm Journalism Review (LJR) about the goals and lines of work of this initiative in defense of journalism and the citizens’ right to be informed.
Women journalists in Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua and El Salvador face misogynistic comments, threats to their physical integrity and their family environment, and violations of their privacy. In this article we learn about the experiences of women who have practiced journalism in these three countries.
Four years after the social outbreak of 2018 in Nicaragua, more than 120 journalists have gone into exile, at least 20 media have been confiscated, there are no printed newspapers circulating in the country and six journalists have received sentences ranging from 7 to 13 years in prison, with fines in the millions. However, the independent Nicaraguan press continues to fight for freedom, both from inside the country and in exile.