The IAPA Bot heat map dyed Cuba in red due to the unanimous approval in the National Assembly of the Social Communication Law which inflicts a fatal blow to press freedom on the island. The Inter American Press Association considered that the law "legalizes censorship" through the regulation of the Internet and the prohibition of independent media.
In Colombia, during the mobilizations in favor of the government's reforms, probably encouraged by President Gustavo Petro's criticism of the press, five reporters were attacked in Bogotá, Medellín and Barranquilla. Reporters from RCN Radio, Blu Radio and Caracol Radio were insulted and physically assaulted by demonstrators.
Bolivian journalists were threatened by militants of the Movement Towards Socialism (MAS) while covering the occupation of the offices of the Permanent Assembly of Human Rights of Bolivia (Apdhb).
In Venezuela, the number of citizens living in "news deserts" increased to seven million, according to the study "Atlas of Silence". The report identified 133 locations where Venezuelans cannot access local information. In addition, a study by Espacio Público recorded 51 violations to freedom of expression in May.
In Honduras, the government suspended the protection of journalist Esdras Amado López. The communicator, who had been under protection since 2010, said that they are trying to silence him.
Finally, Argentine President Alberto Fernandez, on the eve of Journalist's Day, stated that there is "an excessive abuse of freedom of the press".
IAPA Bot is an artificial intelligence tool of the Inter American Press Association that monitors press freedom violations in real time. It tracks information published in the media, Google News, Twitter, and from a selection of IAPA notes and denunciations. In addition, it contains a heat map that allows observing the press freedom climate in each country, a button to make complaints, and a menu that highlights the statements of government leaders, citizens' conversations, and relevant events.
IAPA is a non-profit organization dedicated to defending and promoting freedom of the press and expression in the Americas. It comprises more than 1,300 publications in the Western Hemisphere, based in Miami, Florida, United States.
