WHEREAS the national government is gradually silencing press freedom through threats, intimidation, disqualifications, and pressure against independent media outlets and journalists
WHEREAS the national government is gradually silencing press freedom through threats, intimidation, disqualifications, and pressure against independent media outlets and journalists
WHEREAS between May 1 and July 14 of this year, 180 attacks against journalists were recorded, such as physical harassment, cyber-harassment, intimidation, insults, stigmatizing speeches, and restrictions on journalistic work, according to data from the Monitoring Center of the Association of Journalists of El Salvador (APES)
WHEREAS the government accused foreign and local media outlets, as well as non-governmental organizations, of organizing a "coordinated attack" against it
WHEREAS, as a consequence of these pressures, many journalists have been forced into exile and numerous newsrooms have left the country. In June, the APES reported that about 43 journalists were forced to relocate due to "multiple cases of harassment, intimidation, and arbitrary restrictions."
WHEREAS, due to the entry into force of the Foreign Agents Law, with which the government seeks to tax independent organizations it deems critical, APES announced the temporary closure of its offices and the suspension of projects funded from abroad
WHEREAS six out of ten Salvadorans are "more cautious" when sharing their opinion on politics, according to a survey by the Public Opinion Institute of the Central American University José Simeón Cañas (Iudop-UCA)
WHEREAS the Declaration of Chapultepec, in its first principle, states: "No people or society can be free without freedom of expression and of the press. The exercise of this freedom is not something authorities grant, it is an inalienable right of the people" and its sixth article affirms: "The media and journalists should neither be discriminated against nor favored because of what they write or say"
WHEREAS the Declaration of Salta II on Principles of Freedom of Expression in the Digital Age establishes in its seventh principle: "Authorities should not use digital surveillance to undermine citizens' freedoms and privacy. These mechanisms are only permissible in exceptional cases, where a legitimate aim is pursued within the framework of due process, with a judicial order, and in accordance with human rights conventions. Under no circumstances is mass surveillance acceptable."
THE 81st GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE IAPA RESOLVES
To condemn the relentless harassment against independent media and journalists
To demand unrestricted respect for freedom of expression and of the press
To demand the immediate end of any form of persecution, surveillance, or intimidation.
