An IAPA international mission visits Costa Rica

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San José (January 27, 2025) – An international mission from the Inter American Press Association (IAPA) is visiting Costa Rica this week to assess the state of press freedom in the country.

San José will also host the launch of the Latin American Network for Journalism in Exile (RELPEX, by its Spanish acronym) this Monday. RELPEX is an IAPA program supported by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), in partnership with DW Akademie, UNESCO, and the Press and Freedom of Expression Institute (IPLEX, by its Spanish acronym) of Costa Rica, among other organizations.

The delegation, led by IAPA President José Roberto Dutriz, has scheduled meetings with Foreign Minister Arnoldo André, National Assembly President Rodrigo Arias Sánchez, and Presidential Communications Director Luis Carlos Monge.

Additionally, the IAPA mission plans to meet with local media directors, as well as representatives from the IPLEX, Costa Rica's National Journalists Association, the Freedom of Expression and Right to Information Program (PROLEDI, by its Spanish acronym) of the University of Costa Rica, University chancellor Carlos Araya Leandro, the President of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, Nancy Hernández, and former Costa Rican Presidents Oscar Arias and Laura Chinchilla.

Yesterday, the group met with the Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Luis Almagro, to discuss the complex situation of press freedom in the Americas. This morning, the delegation participated in the judicial year inauguration ceremony at the Inter American Court of Human Rights headquarters, alongside the OAS Secretary General. The event marked the opening of the Court's 172nd regular session.

In addition to Dutriz, from La Prensa Gráfica in El Salvador, the IAPA mission includes Gabriela Vivanco, Executive Committee President, La Hora in Ecuador; former presidents Roberto Rock, La Silla Rota, Mexico, and Michael Greenspon, The New York Times, United States; Carlos Jornet, Second Vice President and Chair of the Commission on Press Freedom and Information, La Voz del Interior, Argentina; Martha Ramos, Chair of the Committee on Gender Equity and Diversity, Mexican Editorial Organization, Mexico; and Carlos Lauría, IAPA Executive Director.

While Costa Rica has a historic tradition of respecting human rights and freedom of expression, warning signs have emerged over the past two years. According to recent IAPA reports, local journalists and organizations have documented frequent verbal assaults, denial of access to public information, and misuse of power aimed at undermining the economic interests of media outlets and their shareholders.

The 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 from the western hemisphere and is based in Miami, Florida, United States.

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