El Salvador Press Freedom: WAN-IFRA Concerns
- San Salvador, El Salvador - Sustained harassment and intimidation have forced at least 40 journalists into exile, according to the Association of Journalists of El Salvador (APES).
- The journalists, representing various media outlets, conducted key investigations into corruption, human rights abuses, and a lack of government transparency.
- APES has voiced concerns regarding alleged watch lists and arrest threats targeting journalists and human rights defenders.
El Salvador‘s press freedom faces a severe crisis as at least 40 journalists are forced into exile due to targeted intimidation and harassment. This exodus spotlights the escalating dangers facing the media in the Central American nation. A new Foreign Agents Law further threatens autonomous journalism, raising serious concerns among international watchdogs like WAN-IFRA. Investigations into corruption and government transparency are now at risk,with self-censorship widespread.News Directory 3 is following developments. the international community demands respect for freedom of the press and calls for the government to guarantee journalists’ safety and allow them to return without fear. Discover what’s next in this developing story.
El Salvador’s Press Freedom Crisis: Journalists Forced into Exile
Updated June 21, 2025
San Salvador, El Salvador – Sustained harassment and intimidation have forced at least 40 journalists into exile, according to the Association of Journalists of El Salvador (APES). The exodus highlights a growing press freedom crisis in the Central American nation.
The journalists, representing various media outlets, conducted key investigations into corruption, human rights abuses, and a lack of government transparency. The situation is compounded by a climate of fear, which also affects the families of those who have fled.
APES has voiced concerns regarding alleged watch lists and arrest threats targeting journalists and human rights defenders. the Salvadoran government has not addressed thes allegations or provided assurances that critical voices, including those from the news outlet El Faro, are not being criminalized. the new Foreign Agents Law further exacerbates the situation, posing a direct threat to autonomous organizations and press freedom.
International press freedom organizations that recently visited El Salvador concluded the nation is experiencing one of its most challenging periods for press freedom sence the end of its armed conflict. Self-censorship and forced exile are now widespread.
Multiple organizations are calling on the Salvadoran government to guarantee the physical integrity and freedom of all journalists. They also demand an immediate end to all forms of persecution,surveillance,and intimidation. The groups insist the government clarify reports of watch lists and arrest threats, ensuring critical voices are not criminalized.
The international community is closely monitoring the situation, demanding unrestricted respect for freedom of the press and expression in El Salvador. The organizations are urging the Salvadoran government to provide security guarantees, allowing exiled journalists to return without fear of persecution or legal action. The groups include:
- MX Media Alliance
- ARTICLE 19 Mexico and Central America
- Colombian Information Media Association (AMI)
- Association of Argentine Journalistic Entities (ADEPA)
- National Press Association (ANP) Chile
- national Association of Newspapers (ANJ) Brazil
- Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)
- Peruvian press advice (CPP)
- Free press Unlimited (FPU)
- Foundation for Freedom of Expression and Democracy (Fled)
- Fundamedios
- Press and Society Institute (IPYS)
- Inter American press Association (IAPA)
- International Press Institute (IPI)
- International Pen
- Press Freedom Center at the National Press Club
- Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
- World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA)
What’s next
The undersigned organizations will continue to monitor the situation in El Salvador closely, urging authorities to act responsibly and under democratic principles to end all forms of persecution against journalists and human rights defenders. Respect for press freedom and essential rights demands a clear, urgent, and committed response.