IAPA Midyear Meeting. April 23 - 24, 2026.
Freedom of expression in Costa Rica continued to unfold in a climate of tension, marked by verbal and physical attacks against journalists. These actions have generated intimidating effects and signs of self-censorship within the independent press, as well as various legal disputes reflecting growing friction between authorities and the media.
Among the reported incidents, on November 12 journalist Karen Dondi and photojournalist Marco Monge were assaulted by law enforcement officers while covering a farmers’ protest. Likewise, on December 4, an officer of the Drug Control Police (PCD) seized and destroyed the cellphone of CR Hoy contributor Daniel González as he documented a police raid. The officer threw the device to the ground and stomped on it, after which another officer finished destroying it using his weapon.
In the courts, on November 14 the Constitutional Chamber rejected an injunction filed by ruling party legislator Ada Acuña Castro, who had challenged the boos she received from students during a civic event at the National University (UNA). The court determined that the student demonstrations constituted a legitimate exercise of freedom of expression.
Subsequently, on February 27, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) upheld an electoral injunction filed against President-elect Laura Fernández Delgado, who during the campaign of the ruling Party Pueblo Soberano (PPSO) had restricted access to her public Instagram account to Mia Fink, a political content creator. The Tribunal ruled that this restriction violated citizens’ right to cast an informed vote.
That same day, the Constitutional Chamber declared unconstitutional the government’s radio frequency licensing process, as it established the highest economic offer as the sole award criterion, without considering principles such as media pluralism, freedom of expression, and service continuity. The initiative was promoted in a context of repeated attacks by President Rodrigo Chaves and members of his administration against broadcasters and independent media, particularly Channel 7 and its owner René Picado Cozza.
On March 4, President Chaves described the ruling on the licensing process as “disastrous” and “reprehensible.” During a public conference, he also interrupted and reprimanded the Minister of Science and Technology, Paula Bogantes, when she explained the government’s intention to comply with the Constitutional Chamber’s decision, stating that obeying the ruling did not equate to respecting it. These statements highlighted tensions between the Executive Branch and judicial bodies responsible for safeguarding fundamental rights such as freedom of expression.
In contrast, a significant step forward was recorded in the protection of press freedom. On February 3, the Legislative Assembly unanimously approved, in second debate, the repeal of Articles 7 and 8 of the Press Law, which had established penalties of up to 120 days in prison for journalists for offenses such as defamation, libel, and the publication of content deemed subversive.
The bill, entitled “Law for the Freedom of Journalistic Practice. Repeal of Articles 7 and 8 of the Press Law, Law No. 32,” was adopted by the Legislature and remains pending the President’s signature and official publication to enter into force.
Although the repeal of this legal provision was welcomed by local organizations, Giselle Boza, coordinator of the Freedom of Expression and Right to Information Program (PROLEDI) at the University of Costa Rica, noted that the full decriminalization of crimes against honor remains pending, as they are still sanctioned under the Penal Code through fines.
