The regional network Voces del Sur denounced, in its recent report corresponding to November 2022, that the threats, persecution and repressive measures continue against the independent press in Nicaragua. The organization registered a total of six alerts against journalists and the media.
«In total, 6 cases of violations of press freedom were documented; 5 were perpetrated against journalists (83.3%), and 1 against a media outlet (16.7%). Of the total of 6 registered cases, these fell among 5 victims; 4 natural persons and 1 means of communication. Of the natural persons, 2 are female and 2 are male. In one of the cases, a journalist was the victim of threats on social networks on two occasions,” the document says.
Voces del Sur highlights that for the fourth consecutive month the journalist Yahaciela Barrera has been the victim of attacks and threats. “We regret that the Autonomous Region of the South Caribbean Coast (RACCS) continues to be a high-risk region for practicing independent journalism,” the report added.
«Voces del Sur learned that in the month of November at least 4 journalists were forced into exile due to the difficulty that exists in the country to practice their profession and the danger that it implies. We also learned of and have a record of 5 complaints of threats and harassment by police officers and parastatals, produced in the context of the municipal voting process,” the organization details.
In the first eight months of the year, the regional network documented the closure of at least 30 media outlets, including 27 radio stations and three television channels. In addition, the closure of five local news, one national and at least five opinion programs.
Related news: Voces del Sur denounces “absolute censorship” against the media in Nicaragua
They demand from the Ortega-Murillo regime “the need to put an end to the use of repressive laws against its dissidents; making use of information and communication technologies is not a crime. It is necessary to preserve the rights and security of citizens, bearing in mind their dignity and respect for their fundamental freedoms.”
Likewise, it is necessary to remember that regardless of all the repressive measures that are applied, the news, the complaints and all the irregularities that are committed against citizens and the independent press will continue to register and denounce as it has been done since 2018. », reiterates Voices of the South.
Since April 2018, Nicaragua has been experiencing a sociopolitical crisis that has left at least 355 dead, according to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), and which worsened last November, when Ortega and Murillo were re-elected to their posts, with seven of their rivals in prison and two in exile.
