El‍ Salvador’s Press⁢ Freedom Crisis: Journalists Forced into Exile

​ Updated⁢ June ‌21, 2025
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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.