During this period, some civil society groups expressed concern and fear over legislative initiatives that could affect press freedom. At the same time, several media outlets and journalists raised concerns about the growing governmental secrecy and incidents of aggression by security personnel associated with certain high-ranking officials.
A national debate arose over the Organic Bill on Freedom of Expression and Audiovisual Media, which was submitted with prior consensus from the Dominican Association of Newspapers (SDD), the Dominican College of Journalists (CDP), and other organizations. The Executive Branch presented this bill to the Senate, which includes the creation of the National Communication Institute (Inacom) as a regulatory body to oversee content on social media and news websites, with a focus on protecting individuals’ privacy and dignity.
The project, developed over two years by a commission appointed by President Luis Abinader, has drawn intense criticism from various sectors, including political parties, professional associations, and independent journalists. Critics warn that Inacom, though designed as an independent entity, has the potential to exceed its mandate and become a governmental censorship mechanism.
On the other hand, the government, major media outlets grouped in the SDD, the CDP, and prominent journalists support the initiative, arguing that it protects freedom of expression without prior censorship and guarantees respect for public criticism. The bill also includes provisions to shield media outlets from private pressures, as in the case affecting Listín Diario.
In May, Listín Diario denounced an act of foreign censorship. The U.S. company Network Solutions issued a 48-hour ultimatum to remove a news story about a corruption case involving Lisandro José Macarrulla Martínez, the son of a former minister, threatening to suspend its digital services.
The outlet rejected the threat, canceled its contract with the company, and filed a complaint, calling it a blatant violation of freedom of expression and highlighting the need for legal frameworks to protect against indirect censorship.
Additionally, ruling-party Senator Rafael Duluc proposed a supplementary initiative penalizing any expression that incites hatred, hostility, or discrimination. While the declared intention is laudable, the ambiguous wording raises concerns that it could be arbitrarily used to silence criticism and investigative journalism.
The Ministry of Culture issued guidelines for media conduct. Meanwhile, the National Commission of Public Entertainment suspended for 30 days the radio program Sin Filtro and the musician “Sujeto Oro 24” for using “vulgar language and malicious expressions.”
Several incidents of aggression and restrictions on press work occurred, carried out by the bodyguards of public officials. A notable case involved the security team of Vice President Raquel Peña, who later publicly apologized for the incident. Another similar case involved the security personnel of Minister Faride Raful.
Journalists have reported increasing government secrecy. Access to the National Palace, previously granted with verified press identification, now requires advance requests of up to a week. Reporters complain they are prevented from freely interviewing officials and that security staff have become more aggressive during press conferences.
Journalist groups organized a march on May 13 in front of the National Palace, carrying banners with slogans such as “No to censorship! Freedom of the press!” During the event, they presented a manifesto calling for access to public records, an end to harassment, and an end to reprisals. Another protest took place in August outside the Congress and the Attorney General’s Office.
The government has repeatedly reaffirmed its commitment to press freedom in international and local forums whenever verbal or physical abuse against journalists has been reported.
On the other hand, the SDD and other social organizations expressed concern over the use of media outlets and digital platforms for extortion and blackmail, as well as for attempts to intimidate professional journalists.
Additionally, Meta shut down the Instagram account of journalist Roberto Cavada, which had more than one million followers, after he published information related to an ongoing corruption case involving a private pharmaceutical company.
