He 2025 was the deadliest year for the press in Peruwith 458 attacks on journalistsaccording to the annual report of the National Association of Journalists (ANP). The report documents an unprecedented deterioration in the conditions for journalistic practice, marked by murders, physical attacks, threats, stigmatizing speeches and obstacles to news coverage throughout the country.
The ANP document confirms that the violence against the press was not concentrated in isolated events, but rather responded to a pattern sustained throughout the year. The attacks came mainly from public officials and security forceswhich reinforces the warning about the use of state power as a mechanism of intimidation against critical journalists.
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The situation worsened in a political context of high conflict, with social protests, announcements of restrictive legal reforms and a climate of hostility from different levels of the State. This scenario increased the risks for those who cover corruption, organized crime and public management, especially in regions.
The report also reveals that the digital journalism was the most attacked, while female journalists faced specific forms of symbolic violence, harassment and smear campaigns, which shows persistent gender gaps in the exercise of the profession.
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Four journalists murdered: the most extreme form of censorship
He 2025 closed with four journalists murdered in the exercise of their work, according to the National Association of Journalists. It is about Gaston Medina Sotomayordirector of Cadena Sur TV in Ica; Ramiro Raúl Celis Lópezradio journalist in Iquitos; Fernando Nunez Guevaracommunicator from Pacasmayo; and Mitzar Castillejos Tezanoajournalist from Aguaytía. In all cases, the attacks were carried out by hitmen.
The ANP warns that the victims developed coverage linked to local complaints, corruption and illicit activities, which increased their level of risk. None of the crimes responded to theft or accidental events, but rather to direct reprisals against journalistic work.
Until the closing of the report, the tax investigations did not record final sentences. For the ANP, the lack of judicial results consolidates a scenario of impunity that exposes regional journalists as the most vulnerable in the country.
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An average of 38 attacks per month normalized violence against the press
The record of 458 attacks on journalists During 2025 it gives an average of 38 attacks monthlya figure that shows the normalization of violence against the press. Every month, threats, judicial harassment, restrictions on access to information and verbal attacks from political power were reported.
This average reflects constant pressure on the media and independent journalists, who faced a hostile environment on a sustained basis, without periods of significant decrease in attacks.
The ANP points out that this constant rate of attacks generated self-censorship, especially among independent journalists and regional media, who lack institutional support and effective protection.
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September, October and July: the most critical months
The report identifies September as the most violent month of the year, with 75 attacks against the press. This peak coincided with an increase in social conflicts and a greater police presence on the streets, which led to restrictions. Reporters and photojournalists reported attacks during street coverage.
In Octoberwere documented 48 attacksmany of them linked to stigmatizing speeches from political authorities and restrictions on official activities. July closed with 47 attacksmarked by official celebrations and public events with limited access to the press.
The ANP warns that periods of greater political and social tension intensify intolerance towards critical journalism and aggravate the risks for those who control power. The concentration of attacks in these contexts confirms that coverage in public spaces, protests and official events become especially dangerous scenarios for field reporters and photojournalists.
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Public officials and law enforcement, the main aggressors
The report identifies public officials as those mainly responsible for the attacks. The mayor of Lima highlights, Rafael Lopez Aliagawho incurred verbal attacks, public stigmatization and judicial threats against journalists such as Rosa Maria Palacios, Marco Sifuentes, Diana Seminary and Victor Caballero (Curwen).
The Minister of the Interior also appears, Juan José Santiváñezfor derogatory statements against journalists such as Karen Santillanas well as the congressman Alejandro Sotowho announced criminal complaints against Bruno Amorettiby Hildebrandt in his Thirteen. Added to this pattern is the complaint of Karla Ramirezhead of the Research Unit of Panoramawho reported having received information indicating that From the Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of the Interior, it would have been ordered to plan actions against his integrity.
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The event occurred on August 31, 2025, in Lima, and was classified by the ANP as a threat against a practicing journalist. In response to the complaint, the Ministry of the Interior issued a statement in which it denied responsibility and maintained that the accusation was insufficient and unfounded.
In addition to the cases already exposed, the ANP documents 121 attacks attributed to law enforcement forcesincluding arbitrary arrests, shoving and excessive use of force during journalistic coverage.
Digital journalism, the most attacked
He digital journalism concentrated the highest number of attacks in 2025. The report identifies The Encerronadirected by Marco Sifuentesas one of the most attacked digital media, with records of harassment, threats and smear campaigns.
Other affected portals were Curwen’s Diary, Epicenter TV, The Owl and regional digital media that cover corruption and public management. The ANP warns that these attacks seek to discredit investigations and limit their scope.
The high exposure on social networks and the absence of protection mechanisms make digital journalism one of the most vulnerable sectors of the information ecosystem.
Gender violence against female journalists: harassment, discredit and stigmatization
The female journalists They faced differentiated attacks during 2025, mainly through symbolic violence, harassment and professional delegitimization. The report documents attacks against Rosa Maria Palacios, Jacqueline Fowks, Karen Santillan, Grimaldina Cconislla Noa and Fatima Constantine.
In several cases, the aggressors were political authorities, public officials and police officers. The attacks included sexist language, questions about his professional capacity, and exposure of his personal life as a form of intimidation.
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One of the most serious cases occurred when the then Minister of the Interior, Juan José Santiváñezpublicly discredited the journalist’s complaint Karla Ramirezfrom the Panorama program, stating that “the journalist is stressed.” The statement occurred on September 1, 2025 during an interview on RPP Noticias, after Ramírez warned about the existence of a alleged planned attack against him.
The ANP warns that these practices seek to expel women from public debate and deepen gender gaps in the practice of journalism, in a context already marked by high levels of violence against the press.
