The IAPA urges presidential candidates and campaigns in Colombia to respect press freedom
The tone of confrontation has intensified in recent days and has resulted in public accusations and verbal attacks against media outlets and journalists.
The IAPA urges presidential candidates and campaigns in Colombia to respect press freedom
Miami (May 26, 2026) — Less than a week before Colombia’s presidential election, the Inter American Press Association (IAPA) urges all candidates and political actors to uphold an unequivocal commitment to press freedom and respect for journalistic work, and calls on the Colombian State to ensure the necessary conditions for journalists and media outlets to cover the electoral process with full independence, free from restrictions or intimidation.
The tone of confrontation has intensified in recent days and has resulted in public accusations and verbal attacks against media outlets and journalists, as documented by the Foundation for Press Freedom (FLIP). The IAPA warns that any expression that seeks to discredit, stigmatize, or delegitimize journalistic work undermines democratic debate and limits the public’s right to access diverse and reliable information.
In this context, the IAPA has taken note of the recent complaints documented by FLIP regarding attacks linked to the campaign of candidate Abelardo de la Espriella against journalists and media outlets, as well as criticisms directed by individuals close to candidate Iván Cepeda against Cambio magazine. These incidents, though different in nature, reflect a climate of growing tension toward journalism in the midst of the electoral campaign.
“Electoral debate can and should be vigorous, but it must never turn the press into a target of pressure or disqualification,” said Pierre Manigault, president of the IAPA. “A strong democracy requires media outlets capable of informing, questioning, and verifying without fear of retaliation. Respect for journalistic work strengthens public trust and protects citizens’ right to make free and informed decisions,” said Manigault, president of Evening Post Publishing Inc. in Charleston, South Carolina, United States.
For her part, Martha Ramos, chair of the IAPA’s Committee on Freedom of the Press and Information, noted that “during election periods, tolerance for criticism and public scrutiny becomes especially important. Candidates have a responsibility to contribute to a climate of respect and to recognize that journalism fulfills an essential role in democracy by providing information and context to the public,” said Ramos, Editorial Director of Organización Editorial Mexicana (OEM).
The IAPA also urged the Colombian government, electoral authorities, and security forces to fully guarantee journalistic work during the final stretch of the campaign and on election day, so that journalists and media outlets may travel, report, and access sources and coverage locations without obstacles, conditions, or undue restrictions.
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.