WHEREAS, stigmatization continues to be one of the main instruments used to delegitimize and undermine the credibility of the work of the media and journalists, which could encourage harassment and acts of violence
WHEREAS in Argentina, President Javier Milei's X account has become the vehicle for repeated disqualifications and accusations against journalists, and through it, he launches suspicions of corruption against the press
WHEREAS, in Brazil, the intimidation of journalists, especially women, persists through social networks
WHEREAS that in Colombia, the stigmatization of the media encouraged by the national government and led by President Gustavo Petro is a repeated practice, mainly against those who investigate and question state management, and that in the regions, journalists have also been victims of stigmatization by local authorities
WHEREAS, in Costa Rica, President Rodrigo Chaves continues his stigmatizing bias against critical journalists
WHEREAS in El Salvador, the stigmatization of the media and journalists by President Nayib Bukele prevails, and an action later is imitated by other public officials
WHEREAS in Honduras, there are high levels of intolerance to criticism in public administration, and journalists are stigmatized to discredit their work
WHEREAS, in Mexico, the narrative of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador against the press, which is stigmatized daily with accusations of corruption, contributes to the climate of insecurity against journalists and the media
WHEREAS that in Nicaragua, politicians and government spokespersons continue their stigmatizing discourse against the press and that this methodology is one of the most common forms of attack against journalists who remain in the country and those in exile
WHEREAS, in Peru, President Dina Boluarte criticizes the press, suggests that media coverage of her administration could be due to sexism or discrimination, and accuses the media of providing "biased and false" information
WHEREAS, the Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights states that stigmatization generates "a climate that prevents reasonable and pluralistic deliberation on all public issues"
WHEREAS the Declaration of Chapultepec, in its sixth article, states: "The media and journalists should not be discriminated against or favored because of what they write or say"
WHEREAS, the Declaration of Salta of Principles on Freedom of Expression in the Digital Era states in its preamble that "threats and attacks on freedom of expression and press freedom from state and private actors have not ceased. The abuses and misuse of these technologies have increased censorship, content blocking, surveillance, harassment, smear campaigns, and other types of violence against users, journalists, and the media".
THE IAPA MID-YEAR MEETING RESOLVES
To reiterate, stigmatization is a form of apology for violence and that, in addition to inciting violent people to attack the press, deepens the levels of intolerance, divisions, and polarization in society
To ask the governments of the Americas to ensure that public debate is conducted with respect and tolerance and within the framework of the principles of freedom of expression
To highlight that, as indicated in the Chapultepec Index, "The increase in the criminalization and persecution of journalists and the stigmatization of the media should urgently call the attention of all those involved: journalists, traditional media, alternative media, independent journalists and citizens in general, to coordinate effective actions in defense of freedom of expression and press in each of the countries."
