IAPA Midyear Meeting. April 23 - 24, 2026.
During the period, there has been a marked press freedom deterioration, with a significant weakening for the safe exercise of independent journalism. While spaces for general news, entertainment, and pro-government content persist, investigative journalism faces increasing risks and severe restrictions. Dozens of journalists have been forced into exile amid threats and official persecution.
In this context, the Journalists Association of El Salvador (APES) relocated its legal registration to Guatemala to safeguard its operations and maintain its work defending journalists’ rights both within and beyond the country. Similarly, the Association of Community Radios (ARPAS) decided to shut down its interview and opinion program “Voces en Contacto” after 28 years on air, due to fears of sanctions under the Foreign Agents Law.
The report “Microphones Under the State of Exception,” presented by APES, warned of the critical situation facing community media, noting that nine out of ten journalists in that sector are afraid of carrying out their work. The organization’s Monitoring Center, recorded 426 attacks against journalists and media workers in 2025, including digital harassment, stigmatization, restrictions on journalistic work, intimidation, defamation, and insults. Alleged perpetrators include social media users linked to the ruling party, as well as police officers, public officials, and members of the armed forces.
The misuse of the judicial system against critical voices remains a persistent concern. Constitutional lawyer Salvador Enrique Anaya Barraza, a columnist for El Diario de Hoy, remains detained since June 7, 2025, after denouncing the arrest of anti-corruption attorney Ruth López of the organization Cristosal.
On March 5, APES reported a harassment campaign against Catholic priest and director of Radio Izcanal, Alcides Herrera, following his appearance on the television program “Encuentro con Julio Villagrán,” where he expressed opinions on religion, politics, and upcoming elections. The attacks included insults, stigmatizing messages, and death threats, amplified by digital platforms and pro-government outlets. Herrera also reported episodes of phone harassment.
A similar situation affected lawyer and theologian Jaime Ramírez Ortega, also a columnist for El Diario de Hoy, who was targeted by commentators and former officials linked to the ruling party.
In the legal sphere, new regulations on cybercrimes have been used to limit investigative reporting on public administration.
On January 2, photojournalist Diego Rosales was detained in Seville, Spain, under an international arrest warrant for alleged cyber theft and unlawful association. APES stated that the case forms part of a broader pattern of harassment, threats, and unfounded judicial actions against him, within the context of the state of exception in force since March 2022. International organizations have warned that, if extradited, the journalist would face a high risk of arbitrary detention and lack of due process guarantees.
In response to the exile of dozens of journalists, authorities have dismissed the claims, alleging—without evidence—that those affected are linked to opposition groups.
Additionally, there is an ongoing policy of restricting independent media access to official events, along with the classification of information related to government projects and a lack of transparency on matters of public interest, including the situation of detainees under the state of exception.
