In the context of the general elections held in November 2025, journalists and media outlets faced intimidation, threats, smear campaigns, and attacks that created a climate of fear and self-censorship. State and political actors, including senior officials and military leaders, engaged in hostile rhetoric and pressure against critical media, while the use of nationwide radio and television broadcasts and other public resources was widely questioned for its political nature and its impact on limiting the circulation of independent information.
The electoral process took place in a context of high polarization, political and institutional tensions, and allegations of interference by the state apparatus that affected the proper functioning of electoral authorities. In this scenario, both national and international organizations warned of a deterioration of civic space and the exercise of political rights.
Observers also highlighted a climate of hostility driven by the government and reinforced by the institutional apparatus, which undermined the full exercise of freedom of expression and press freedom through intimidation, hate campaigns, smear tactics, and political violence.
The ruling Libertad y Refundación (Libre) party attempted to hinder both the electoral process and the work of the press by restricting the flow of unfavorable information and overusing official communication channels, particularly nationwide radio and television broadcasts.
Media outlets and journalists reporting on official abuses were subjected to intimidation, threats, attacks, and coordinated smear campaigns, involving high-ranking actors such as the head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces, the Attorney General, the head of the Legislative Branch, and members of the ruling party within electoral bodies.
International observation missions further noted that the use of state institutions—particularly the justice system—for political purposes undermined the autonomy of electoral bodies. Taken together, these conditions created an adverse environment for public debate and for the full exercise of freedom of expression and press freedom during the elections.
In addition, disinformation campaigns and coordinated social media attacks targeted journalists, candidates, and activists. These included false news, manipulated content, and fraud narratives, which deepened polarization and eroded trust in the electoral process. Reports documented at least 67 incidents of political violence—such as threats, assaults, and attacks—against political actors and citizens, some of which occurred at polling stations.
The use of digital tools and manipulated content to amplify political attacks in the public sphere was also identified.
During the electoral period, many national journalists were targeted with online harassment campaigns, including memes and caricatures designed to discredit and intimidate them in order to deter coverage of legal violations committed by officials and members of the Armed Forces.
Particular concern arose over threats made by the then head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces, Roosevelt Hernández, against a dozen media outlets that reported on the troubling precedent of using state institutional resources to carry out smear and intimidation campaigns against independent media.
The political interference of the then leadership of the Joint Chiefs of Staff was also deemed especially serious, as it challenged the authority of the National Electoral Council in an attempt to obtain presidential election tally sheets.
The Honduran Journalists Association warned of violations of Articles 72 and 73 of the Constitution, which guarantee freedom of expression, the free dissemination of thought without prior censorship, and prohibit the control or restriction of media outlets.
The final report of the European Union Election Observation Mission stated that no fraud occurred, and noted that “the use of state authorities, specifically the Office of the Attorney General, as a political tool by representatives of the Libre Party against members of the National Electoral Council and the Electoral Justice Tribunal to initiate politically motivated legal actions undermined the effectiveness and autonomy of these institutions.”
Considered a disproportionate abuse, the head of the Legislative Branch, Luis Redondo Guifarro, resorted to nationwide radio and television broadcasts for political purposes to influence public opinion regarding events related to the electoral process, disregarding constitutional norms and using a standing committee irregularly to issue recount orders outside the law.
In some instances, these broadcasts exceeded limits in both duration and purpose, being used politically and displacing regular programming of legally established media during key time slots.
Following an electoral contest marked by complexity and polarization, the country has entered a transitional period with new government authorities. While a legal framework recognizing freedom of expression and press freedom exists, the context highlighted the urgent need to strengthen protections for journalists, ensure media independence, and prevent the misuse of state resources during electoral processes.
