Numerous cases of violence and intolerance against the press marked this period, which was defined by the general electoral process. The elections created an atmosphere of uncertainty due to the intense power struggle between President Luis Arce and former President Evo Morales, who was not authorized to seek re-election.
As part of the general elections held on August 17, the National Press Association (ANP) expressed concern over sanctions imposed on the newspapers Correo del Sur, El Diario, and the news websites Urgentebo and Brújula Digital for publishing opinion columns. The ANP also denounced multimillion-dollar fines against more than thirty private, Catholic, Christian, and educational radio stations, with amounts that in some cases exceeded the value of the sanctioned media outlets.
The ANP criticized outdated regulations on the dissemination of political propaganda applied by the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE), arguing that they contradict international standards, the Political Constitution of the State, and the century-old Press Law regarding prior censorship. The TSE announced it would review the sanctions.
Separately, a law intended to protect children and adolescents on social media was used to compromise the confidentiality of journalistic sources and infringe upon freedom of expression.
Other significant events during this period:
In May, during a conflict over garbage collection in the municipalities of Cochabamba and Quillacollo, Unitel TV journalist Paola Cadima was left unconscious after an attack. Canal 35 journalist Ángela Ninoska Mamani and a cameraman were also injured in the incident.
In June, protesters in Cochabamba, blocking a highway connecting the region to western Bolivia, attacked a Red Uno TV crew with fireworks.
On June 4, a supporter of former President Morales accused the press of distorting a report about threats against members of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE).
On June 10, during a demonstration in Cochabamba, a Morales supporter threatened to burn down media outlets that did not broadcast a call for President Luis Arce’s resignation.
On the same day, protesters blocking a highway between the departments of Oruro and Cochabamba—also Morales supporters—threatened to burn journalists and confiscated their mobile phones.
On June 11, press teams covering the lifting of a blockade on the highway connecting Oruro to the city of Llallagua in northern Potosí were ambushed and attacked by Morales supporters.
On August 4, newspapers represented by the ANP rejected government criticism of independent media for reporting on the economic situation, stating that the information was based on official data.
More than twenty journalists and foreign correspondents were assaulted on August 17 during the electoral process.
