Miami (May 13, 2025) – The Inter American Press Association (IAPA) expressed its strong support for the message of Pope Leo XIV, who in his first meeting with the press called for an end to media polarization and demanded the release of journalists imprisoned for practicing their profession.
"Allow me to reiterate the Church's solidarity with journalists imprisoned for having sought and told the truth, and to call for their release," said the second pope from the Americas before thousands of journalists gathered in the Vatican's Paul VI Hall.
He added, "The Church recognizes in these witnesses — I think of those who report on war even at the cost of their lives — the courage of those who defend dignity, justice, and the right of people to be informed, because only informed people can make free decisions."
IAPA President José Roberto Dutriz stated, "We fully join Pope Leo XIV’s call. We urge the governments of Latin America to immediately and unconditionally release all journalists imprisoned for their journalistic work. Journalists must not be criminalized for practicing their profession."
For her part, Martha Ramos, president of the IAPA's Committee on Freedom of the Press and Information, said, "The Pope’s words are a powerful reminder of the essential role journalism plays in building free and just societies. Protecting those who report is protecting democracy."
Over the past year, the IAPA has documented at least 10 journalists imprisoned for their reporting. According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), as of December 1, 2024, there were 550 journalists detained worldwide for reasons related to their work, and 55 more had been kidnapped. The IAPA has repeatedly denounced this serious situation and stresses that press freedom is an irreplaceable pillar of every democratic society.
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.