No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeDaniel OrtegaThreats against independent journalists in Nicaragua continue

Threats against independent journalists in Nicaragua continue

Juan Carlos Arce, a lawyer for the Nicaraguan Center for Human Rights, (CENIDH), says social media sites are the most common vehicle to intimidate independent journalists during this period of government repression.

CENIDH has received several complaints and reports from journalists that have suffered attacks, defamation, and stigmatization.

Arce said that social networks are being used to “criminalize journalists,” with the goal of “immobilizing them,” and stop them from informing.

One of the journalists that faced threats through social media was the Matagalpa correspondent for Radio Corporación, Aurora Leyton. Leyton reported threats against her and her family to the CENIDH.

Orteguistas have also employed other forms of harassment and intimidation. On Tuesday morning, VS TV journalist Gerald Chávez, found his family home in Carazo spray painted with the message Plomo, FSLN, no olvidamos. Lead, FSLN, we don’t forget.

“I think it’s a way to intimidate me, intimidate my family, for the work I’ve been doing […] with regard to what’s going on in this country. I haven’t been lying, I’ve been publishing what people are feeling, what they’re living through,” Chávez said.

People on fake social media accounts have already threatened to burn down his house.

Fake social media accounts

Aurora Leyton said that fake social media accounts are naming people who are responsible for the violence in Matagalpa. They’ve included her name on the list.

They’ve also published photos of her family where they’re called “traitors” and they’re accused of locating and “defaming Sandinistas and public officials.”

The threats have forced Leyton to cancel her news show Mundo de Noticias, which was broadcast by a local radio station.


Read the original story in Spanish at La Prensa, first published on Aug. 15, 2018.

This story was translated into English and republished in The Tico Times as part of a partnership with La Prensa to help bring their coverage of the Nicaraguan crisis to an English-speaking audience.

Trending Now

Robert Redford, Hollywood icon and Sundance founder, dies at 89

Cinema legend Robert Redford, a screen great both in front of and behind the camera whose career spanned six decades, died early on Tuesday...

Messi, Inter Miami agree to extend contract beyond 2026: source

Inter Miami and Lionel Messi have agreed to extend the Argentine superstar's contract to remain in Major League Soccer (MLS) beyond next year's World...

Stolen Costa Rican Antiquities Head Home After Manhattan Probe

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., revealed the return of nine ancient artifacts to Costa Rica on Thursday. These items came from investigations...

U.S. Lists Costa Rica as Major Drug Transit Country

The U.S. government has placed Costa Rica on its annual list of major drug transit or production countries for fiscal year 2026. President Donald...

Costa Rica Celebrates Independence with Traditional Torch Relay

The Torch of Independence began its traditional journey through Costa Rica today. More than 22,000 students from across the country carry the torch both...

Costa Rica Electric Car Market Booms Despite Gradual Tax Increases

Costa Rica has experienced a boom in the purchase of electric vehicles. This comes as no surprise, given that the prices of electric cars...
spot_img
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica