WHEREAS in Nicaragua, the regime of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo has reinforced its strategy of information control through stigmatization campaigns, digital attacks, closure of professional spaces, and migration restrictions
WHEREAS in Nicaragua, the regime of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo has reinforced its strategy of information control through stigmatization campaigns, digital attacks, closure of professional spaces, and migration restrictions
WHEREAS journalism remains trapped between state surveillance, the hostility of official discourse, and the precarious conditions of exile
WHEREAS, since 2018, nearly 300 Nicaraguan journalists have been forced into exile for carrying out their work with integrity and commitment in exposing human rights abuses
WHEREAS exiled journalists continue to face a growing climate of harassment, and several have reported reprisals against their family members in the country, increasing self-censorship and reinforcing a perception of insecurity, and at least 15 exiled journalists in Costa Rica faced obstacles related to their migratory status
WHEREAS three journalists remain imprisoned: Irving Guerrero, detained on February 9, 2025; Leo Cárcamo, on November 22, 2024; and Elsbeth D’Anda, on October 27, 2024
WHEREAS digital attacks affect journalists not only personally and professionally, but also aim to weaken their connection with audiences, erode the credibility of independent media, and sow public distrust
WHEREAS harassment of YouTubers and content creators has become more evident and systematic: one was detained, and several foreigners were intimidated, accused of being spies, deported, or denied entry to the country
WHEREAS the Declaration of Chapultepec establishes in its fourth principle that “freedom of expression and of the press are severely limited by murder, terrorism, kidnapping, intimidation, the unjust imprisonment of journalists, the destruction of facilities, violence of any kind and impunity for perpetrators,” and affirms in its tenth article that “no news media nor journalist may be punished for publishing the truth or criticizing or denouncing the government.”
THE 81st GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE IAPA RESOLVES
To express solidarity with journalists and media outlets who, despite adversity, continue to report with determination
To demand the immediate and unconditional release of journalists and media workers who are arbitrarily detained
To demand that the State cease using public speeches, state media, or authorities to stigmatize, defame, threaten, or criminalize journalists and independent media
To demand the return of all assets, equipment, licenses, infrastructure, and media outlets that have been confiscated, closed, or intervened in, and to allow them to resume operations freely
To require the restoration of citizenship to those who have lost it arbitrarily, and to allow the safe return of those forced into exile for their journalistic or critical work.
