No News is Bad News: Latin America

In Latin America, Free Press Unlimited is taking a regional approach, focusing on three countries: Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras. While freedom of speech is protected by the constitution in the three countries and most protection laws are in place, journalists often face threats and practice self-censorship when covering drug and human trafficking, corruption, organized crime, and related human rights violations. Another reason for this self-censorship is the media ownership, which in many cases is linked to the political and economic elite. In this climate, media struggle to hold powerful groups accountable and fulfill their watchdog role. Limited resources prevent independent media outlets to produce to their full capacity, and in most mainstream media, government advertising represents a substantial percentage of media outlets’ revenue, creating an incentive for publishers to avoid antagonizing officials, editors and media owners. The problem is not only with the journalists and media owners, but also due to the general public opinion, whose media literacy is limited and are used to sensationalism. Violence against journalists, media ownership and limited revenue models for independent media plus a public with limited media literacy skills lead to (self) censorship, and block an environment in which the media feel safe to produce content that stimulate reflection and critical thinking about the real issues that effect the Central American societies. Free Press Unlimited will increase work with media in target countries in order to increase capacity in investigative journalism. Media partners will be provided with technological tools and data journalism skills, including anonymous access to media and journalists for whistle blowers. Lobby and advocacy activities will focus on improving the legal framework for media and safety of journalists and strengthening the networks between civil society and media to increase government accountability. The media literacy component increases the capacity of youth to understand the important role of the media in democratic societies and their ability to become critical-thinkers and engaged citizens.