Ortega's repression 'annihilates' independent journalism in Nicaragua

Freedom of expression is increasingly scarce in Central America, with Nicaragua standing out as the country that has most aggressively criminalized journalism. The IV Report on the State of Freedom of Expression and the Right to Information in Central America highlights Nicaragua as the most extreme case of annulled freedom of expression and press in the region.

The report asserts that unlike other contexts with institutional disputes or limited action, independent journalism within Nicaragua has been practically annihilated. This is a direct consequence of systematic repression by the dictatorship led by Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo. The regime's actions have led to the closure or confiscation of media outlets, judicial persecution, and the mass exile of journalists.

As a result, critical information about Nicaragua is now produced almost exclusively from outside the country. Ingrid Hausinger, Regional Director of the Heinrich Böll Foundation Central America, explained the "roadmap" used against journalists. It begins with discrediting them by labeling them terrorists or criminals, aiming to confuse citizens and erode trust in the press. "This is never an innocent narrative, but a way to prevent them from questioning power," she stated.

Without free journalism, it becomes difficult to expose the dispossession, inequalities, and injustices occurring within countries. Silencing journalists prevents the investigation and reporting of crucial stories, thereby infringing on everyone's right to be informed. The report also notes that harassment tactics are becoming more complex, leading to self-censorship as a survival mechanism for professionals.