José Peralta

Mexico out of control, problems in Nicaragua and Brazil in flames

August in the Americas: A roundup of key free expression news, based on IFEX member reports.

Violence in Mexico, hope in Colombia, and creativity as an escape from censorship in Venezuela

July in the Americas: A roundup of the most important free expression news, based on IFEX member reports.

Colombia to face judgement in case of journalist Jineth Bedoya: a historic moment that will frame both the past and future

Freedom of expression experts in the Americas explain why the case of the courageous journalist Jineth Bedoya represents a historic opportunity for the Inter-American Court of Human Rights to set a precedent regarding violence against women journalists and the duty of states to provide protection as well as prevent and investigate such crimes.

Faced with blackouts and censorship, Venezuelans resort to creative methods to keep themselves informed

Getting on public transit to verbally narrate the news, using personal social networks, or creating WhatsApp groups among journalists… these are some of the alternative methods being used in the face of the news blackout.

Bloodbath: Six journalists assassinated in the Americas in June

June in the Americas: A roundup of key free expression news, based on IFEX member reports.

The Americas in April: An historic mission to Geneva, and two nations on the brink of collapse

April in the Americas: A roundup of key free expression news, based on IFEX member reports.

Nicaraguans protest the arrest of journalists Miguel Mora and Lucia Pineda in Nicaragua, during a demonstration outside the Nicaraguan embassy in San Jose, Costa Rica, 22 December 2018, EZEQUIEL BECERRA/AFP/Getty Images

As democracy is pushed to the limit in Nicaragua, civil society organisations undertake mission to UN in attempt to reverse the situation

Arbitrary detentions, physical and verbal repression, threats, closures of facilities, thefts of equipment and even ostensible kidnappings… Daniel Ortega’s regime has made use of all of these measures to sow terror and stifle free thought in Nicaragua, a country experiencing challenging times for its democratic systems, with systematic human rights violations.

Protestors hold up signs reading "The media are your voice, defend them", "free press = democracy", ) and "without journalists there is no democracy" during the Day of the Journalist in Caracas, Venezuela, 27 June 2017, Manaure Quintero/picture alliance via Getty Images

Civil society stands firm against abuses and injustice

February in the Americas: A roundup of key free expression news, based on IFEX member reports.

Protesters take part in a massive rally against Maduro's government in Caracas, Venezuela, 2 February 2019, Marcelo Perez Del Carpio/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Governments in Venezuela and Nicaragua strangle press freedom, while impunity prevails in Bolivia and Mexico

January in the Americas: A roundup of key free expression news, based on IFEX member reports.

People demonstrate in support of free expression and the newspaper "El Universo" facing a criminal trial for defamation, in Quito, Ecuador, 28 July 2011, Patricio Realpe/LatinContent/Getty Images

Criminalisation of journalism: Some weapons can silence the media without using bullets

Exorbitant fines, jail sentences or the closure of media outlets… These are some of the outcomes of legal instruments used against journalism in Latin America and the Caribbean today.

EZEQUIEL BECERRA/AFP/Getty Images

Nicaragua on the edge, Bolsonaro’s impact, and Bolivian surveillance

A roundup of key free expression news in the Americas, based on IFEX member reports.

'Resistir' (resist) a demonstrator has written on her chest in a protest against the new president Bolsonaro, in Sau Paolo, 30 October 2018, Andre Lucas/picture alliance via Getty Images

Bolsonaro’s arrival in Brazil: An uncertain and frightening prospect for human rights

The New Year is arriving with little to celebrate in Brazil: activists are warning that the new president poses a serious threat to human rights.