El Salvador: International concern grows over deteriorating press freedom

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23 June 2025: PEN International joins the undersigned organisations in expressing deep alarm at the accelerating deterioration of press freedom in El Salvador, which has intensified significantly in recent weeks.

The Association of Journalists of El Salvador (APES, for its Spanish acronym) has documented the forced displacement of at least 40 journalists due to 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 fled the country due to the climate of persecution. Journalists forced to flee come from various media outlets and have conducted key investigations into human rights abuses, corruption, and the lack of transparency.

This mass exodus of journalists has triggered a profound crisis for freedom of expression and created a climate of widespread fear, affecting even the families of exiled journalists.

APES has raised concerns about the existence of watchlists and threats of arrest targeting journalists and human rights defenders—including those from the renowned outlet El Faro.

The situation has been further exacerbated by the recent enactment of the Foreign Agents Law, which poses a direct threat to press freedom and the work of independent organisations. This legislation imposes severe restrictions and could be used as a tool for persecution against those who practise journalism or defend fundamental rights.

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

Considering this alarming situation, the undersigned organisations state the following:

·       The Salvadoran government must guarantee the physical integrity and freedom of all journalists, and immediately cease any form of persecution, surveillance, or intimidation.

·       The Salvadoran State has the responsibility to publicly clarify reports of watchlists and threats of arrest and to ensure that critical voices are not being criminalised.

·       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 security guarantees so that journalists who have been forced to flee can return to the country without fear of persecution or legal action.

The undersigned organisations will continue to monitor the situation in El Salvador closely. We urge the authorities to act responsibly and in accordance with democratic principles, and to put 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.

Signatory organisations:

1. MX Media Alliance

2. ARTICLE 19 Mexico and Central America

3. Colombian Association of News Media (AMI)

4. Association of Argentine Journalistic Entities (ADEPA)

5. World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA)

6. National Press Association (ANP), Chile

7. National Association of Newspapers (ANJ), Brazil

8. Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)

9. Peruvian Press Council (CPP)

10. Free Press Unlimited (FPU)

11. Foundation for Freedom of Expression and Democracy (FLED)

12. Fundamedios

13. Press and Society Institute (IPYS)

14. International Press Institute (IPI)

15. PEN International

16. Press Freedom Center at the National Press Club

17. Reporters Without Borders (RSF)

18. Inter American Press Association (IAPA/SIP)

Note to Editors:  

For more information, please contact Alicia Quiñones, Head of the Americas Region, at PEN International, email: [email protected]  

For media queries, please contact Sabrina Tucci, PEN International Communications and Campaigns Manager,  [email protected]