Report by Martha Ramos, chair of the IAPA's Committee on Freedom of the Press and Information.
The editorial director of the Mexican Editorial Organization presents her annual report on the state of press freedom on the continent.
Punta Cana (October 17, 2025) - Martha Ramos, chair of the Inter American Press Association (IAPA) Committee on Freedom of the Press and Information, today presented the report on the state of press freedom in the Americas during the organization's 81st General Assembly.
According to Ramos, pressure against journalism has escalated in recent months, affecting citizens' right to be fully informed. “At the IAPA, we insist that freedom of expression and freedom of the press are essential elements for democracy to thrive,” he said.
The report shows that, despite protective constitutional frameworks in some countries, the daily practice of journalism has been undermined by harassment, violence, judicial harassment, and economic pressure, as well as censorship and digital control, from Canada to Argentina.
“The use of digital operators to amplify official discourse and attack critical voices is a practice reported in several countries. In Colombia, the government hires influencers under the guise of service providers who function as digital propaganda operators. In Argentina and Costa Rica, digital harassment is amplified by accounts associated with the ruling party or by senior officials who have admitted to using trolls,” Ramos said.
The editorial director of the Mexican Editorial Organization (OEM) warned that the use of the legal system as a weapon of attack and prior censorship requires special attention, and that the legal defense of journalists and media outlets demands new strategies.
“The cascade effect produced by the disqualifications and attacks from those in power puts the daily work of our journalists and media outlets at risk,” Ramos said. She added: “This semester, we have noticed that, proportionally, violence against journalists has increased more in Peru, while El Salvador has forced the displacement of dozens of journalists, a phenomenon that we saw at the time in Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Cuba.”
The Inter American Press Association reaffirms its commitment to freedom of expression and independent journalism. “The IAPA will continue to denounce and warn about any threat to press freedom,” Ramos concluded.
The IAPA is a non-profit organization dedicated to the defense and promotion of press freedom and freedom of expression in the Americas. It is made up of more than 1,300 media outlets in the Western Hemisphere and is headquartered in Miami, Florida, United States.