By: Mariana Belloso
Opinion journalism, which is capable of providing context, criticism, and a deeper level of analysis, is a key tool for countering extreme oversimplification and regaining the public’s attention.
By: Mariana Belloso
The rise of populism, institutional erosion, and growing pressure on freedom of expression were three of the topics discussed during the panel “The Americas at a Crossroads: Democracy, Power, and Freedom of Expression,” held during the Midyear Meeting of the Inter-American Press Association (IAPA). The meeting brought together political scientist Javier Corrales (Amherst College) and journalist Boris Muñoz, founder of the Opinion section of The New York Times en Español, with Daniel Dessein (La Gaceta, Argentina) serving as moderator.
Corrales offered a structural analysis of the populist phenomenon, which he defined as inherently hostile to experts, indifferent to democratic processes, and prone to extractivism. This pattern, he argued, is not only repeated in Latin America but is also evident today in U.S. foreign policy, where populism has ceased to act as a check and has instead become a facilitator of illiberal practices in the region.
Corrales noted that this shift has direct consequences for governance and press freedom. “When populism controls personalized parties—apparatus at the service of a single leader—its capacity to weaken liberal democracy increases enormously,” he explained.
Continuity and Breakaway Politics
In Latin America, this trend manifests itself through two seemingly opposing yet complementary forces: continuity (re-elections, former presidents, so-called “heirs apparent” or appointees of the outgoing president, and political dynasties) and breakaway politics, embodied by “outsiders” with no political experience. Both, he warned, produce personality-driven political systems that strain institutions and amplify attacks on the press.
Muñoz applied this analysis to the U.S. context, where he warned of a climate of identity-based nationalism that has normalized intimidation against the media. Multi-million-dollar lawsuits, economic pressure, and rhetoric portraying journalism as the “enemy of the people” create, he said, an environment of self-censorship and editorial caution. “It’s not panic, but rather a pervasive fear that dictates what is published and how it is published,” he noted.
Drawing on his experience as a Venezuelan journalist in exile, Muñoz drew parallels. He recalled that in Venezuela, the deterioration began with the stigmatization of journalism, continued with restrictive legal frameworks, and ended in systematic control of information. “You can remove the dictator and leave the dictatorship behind,” he noted, referring to Nicolás Maduro’s departure from power, but the continued control of the country by the Chavista regime.
Technology and Propaganda
Both panelists agreed that contemporary disinformation is part of a strategy driven by algorithms and business models that reward anger, repetition, and noise. Corrales added that the use of technology has enabled candidates without prior political infrastructure to rise to power, while Muñoz warned that digital platforms deliberately exploit polarization as a driver of profitability.
The panel also identified opportunities. For Muñoz, opinion journalism—which can provide context, criticism, and a deeper level of analysis—is a key tool for countering extreme oversimplification and regaining the public’s attention. He also called for exploring artificial intelligence without fear or fascination, as an ally for fact-checking, narrative innovation, and reaching new audiences, especially on social media.
The panel concluded that freedom of expression in the Americas faces a prolonged cycle of tension, fueled by personality-driven leadership and an increasingly fragmented news ecosystem. In this context, the panelists agreed, journalism must resist, redefine its strategy, strengthen its credibility, and take an active role in defending democracy.