Journalists in Costa Rica face a tougher environment than in past years, with nearly half reporting derogatory or hateful speech aimed at them. A recent regional study highlights this shift, showing that 47 percent of Costa Rican journalists encountered such attacks occasionally or frequently.
The report, titled “The Worlds of Journalism: Safety, Professional Autonomy, and Resilience among Journalists in Latin America,” comes from the Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas at the University of Texas at Austin. Researchers gathered input from 229 journalists in Costa Rica and over 4,000 across 11 Latin American countries between July and September 2023. This places Costa Rica slightly below the regional average of 52 percent for similar experiences, but the gap signals a concerning trend in a nation long known for its support of press freedom.
In Costa Rica, the local sample was handled by the Asociación de Periodismo Colaborativo Punto y Aparte, which selected participants and applied the questionnaire. The findings point to broader issues, including self-censorship as a response to threats. About 30 percent of respondents in the country admitted to holding back on stories to protect themselves, tying directly to the sense of increased risk in their work.
Celeste González, a researcher from the University of Texas, noted during the study’s virtual presentation on January 22 that Costa Rica’s situation marks an unexpected decline. She compared it to the country’s track record of solid protections for the press, saying the changes reflect wider pressures on the profession.
Job stability stands out as another major hurdle. Many journalists described economic uncertainty, often juggling multiple roles to cover expenses. This mirrors patterns seen in most surveyed nations, where such conditions weaken the depth and independence of reporting. The study links this to a drop in active journalists at both national and local outlets, driven by fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and struggles in traditional media funding.
Across Latin America, the profession remains largely male-dominated, with women and minority journalists facing higher rates of harassment. Emotional and mental health strains outweigh physical or financial ones, according to the data. Over half of regional respondents dealt with demeaning speech at times, while surveillance affected more than a quarter. Brazil reported the highest levels of aggression, while Peru had some of the lowest.
In Costa Rica, these pressures challenge our nation’s reputation as a safe haven for media workers. Historically, our country has upheld press rights, but the report suggests that foundation now faces strain from verbal attacks and other forms of hostility. Journalists often turn to peers for support rather than official channels, and many continue their roles despite the obstacles, focusing on tasks like exposing social issues and fostering public dialogue.
The study calls attention to the need for better safeguards to maintain journalistic quality. As Latin America deals with these shared challenges, Costa Rica’s position offers a chance to address them before they deepen.
