Grave concern about increasing deterioration of press freedom in El Salvador

APES has documented the forced displacement of at least 40 journalists, as a result of a sustained pattern of harassment, intimidation, and arbitrary restrictions on journalistic work. These cases do not include other critical voices or human rights defenders who have also left the country amid a climate of persecution. The journalists forced to flee come from various media outlets and have conducted key investigations into human rights abuses, corruption, and lack of transparency.

The mass departure of press professionals has triggered a deep crisis of freedom of expression and has sown a climate of widespread fear, affecting even the families of the exiled journalists.

A member of Free Press Unlimited’s Latin America team shares: “The free press in El Salvador has been under immense pressure for a long time, but in recent weeks we have witnessed an alarming new level of threats to press freedom. At least 40 journalists have been forced to flee the country, fearing for their safety and, in some cases, that of their families. And yet despite these heavy challenges they continue to report. They keep writing, they keep covering the news, ensuring that the people of El Salvador still have access to independent information. The resilience of these journalists is incredible. Their courage and commitment are a powerful statement that even in the face of fear and exile, the truth will not be silenced.”

APES has raised concerns about the existence of watchlists and threats of arrest targeting journalists and human rights defenders. So far, the Salvadoran government has neither denied these claims nor provided any assurances that critical voices are not being criminalized, including those from the well-known outlet El Faro.

The situation is further worsened by the recent passage of the Foreign Agents Law, which represents a direct threat to press freedom and the work of independent organisations. This legislation imposes severe restrictions and can be used as a tool of persecution against those who practice journalism or defend fundamental rights.

Recent missions by international press freedom organisations visiting the country concluded that El Salvador is experiencing one of the darkest periods for press freedom since the end of the armed conflict, marked by high levels of self-censorship and forced exile.

In light of this alarming outlook, the undersigned organisations state the following:

• The Salvadoran government must guarantee the physical safety and freedom of all journalists, and immediately cease all forms of persecution, surveillance, or intimidation.
• The Salvadoran State has the responsibility to publicly clarify reports of watchlists and arrest threats, and ensure that critical voices are not being criminalized.
• The international community is closely monitoring the situation and demands unrestricted respect for freedom of the press and expression in El Salvador.
• The Salvadoran government must provide safety guarantees so that journalists who have been forced into displacement can return to the country without fear of being persecuted or prosecuted.
• The undersigned organizations will continue to closely observe the developments in El Salvador. We hope that the authorities act responsibly and in accordance with democratic principles, putting an end to all forms of persecution against journalists and human rights defenders. Respect for press freedom and fundamental rights requires a clear, urgent, and committed response.

Read the statement in Spanish

Signed by: 

Sociedad Interamericana de Prensa (SIP)
Asociación Mundial de Editores de Noticias, WAN-IFRA
Comité para la Protección de Periodistas (CPJ)
PEN Internacional
ARTICLE 19 
México y Centroamérica|
Reporteros sin Fronteras (RSF)
Fundación por la Libertad de Expresión y Democracia (FLED)
Fundamedios
Free Press Unlimited (FPU)
Associação Nacional de Jornais (ANJ)
Asociación Colombiana de Medios de Información (AMI) 
Asociación de Entidades Periodísticas Argentinas (ADEPA)
Asociación Nacional de la Prensa (ANP) Chile
Alianza de Medios MX
Press Freedom Center at the National Press Club