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= Freedom of press in Nicaragua = In Nicaragua, even though freedom of press is present in its constitution, limitations imposed by the government as well as citizens regarding media organizations has restrained the ability of independent organizations to express diverging views on society and politics.

Since Daniel Ortega re-entered the presidency in 2007, Nicaraguan press has seen a decline in its freedom of press Index according to Reporters without Borders (RSF) and the Inter American Press Association (IAPA). Even though Ortega stated in the Declaration of Chapultepec in 2001 and again in 2006, that the freedom of expression had to be protected at all costs, it’s deterioration is attributed to the economic repression over independent news organizations as well as various persecutions and attacks by the authorities against journalists who do not work for governmental organizations. Ortega has seized power over news outlets by profiting and encouraging only those that support his government and policies, and suppressing and incarcerating those who are against him.

Protest that arose upon Ortega’s failed pension system reforms arose in 2018, where people demanded Ortega and his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo, to decline from power and liberate political prisoners. Ortega has repressed these protest through violence, as well as those covering the protests on non-governmental news organizations.

Attacks on journalists
Daniel Ortega’s term as president of Nicaragua has resulted in the creation of an oppressive and censored environment that has resulted in a decline in freedom of speech. In situations where reporters are trying to do their jobs by covering anti-government protests, the president has tried to silence them through physical violence, arbitrary arrest, confiscation, and destruction of equipment. They have been exposed to an environment of violence which has resulted in the death of at least 300 people and 2,000 injured, as stated by the Nicaraguan Association for human rights. This proves the situation is only getting worse both for journalists as for civilians.

Amongst many of the victims, Angel Gahona, a local TV producer of the new program El Meridiano, was killed by a gunshot wound to the head while covering the protest on Facebook Live. The investigation of his death has been interrupted, but speculations are growing about soldiers being present at the moment of his death.

The abuse of power on behalf of the police, was also imminent as reporters from La Prensa, were prevented from doing their job as they were threatened at gunpoint and insulted while covering a protest in Managua.

Not only local reporters have been victimized by the armed forces, so have foreign ones. Tim Rodgers, an american reporter was forced to leave Nicaragua, after a harassment campaign led by a group of sandinistas who believed he worked as a spy for the CIA.

Carl David Goette-Luciak, another foreign reporter who was stationed in Nicaragua for the past three years, contributed to different media outlets such as British daily and The guardian. He was targeted for covering Nicaragua´s crisis in an international level. He was harassed through an online campaign of threats controlled by Ortega´s supporters. Just as Rodgers, Goette-Luciak was accused of working for the CIA. Fearing for his life,  he was forced to leave the country as his home address in Nicaragua was leaked onto social media.

The governments authoritarian ruling has made it complicated, almost impossible for international and independent news outlets to carry out their duties. Reporters covering the political crisis are victims of violence and are being constantly exposed to threats, arrests and intimidation campaign on social networks.

Status of reporters without borders in Nicaragua
Reporters without borders (RSF) is an international non governmental organization based in Paris, France, and its objective is to defend the press freedom in the world. According to the RSF, Nicaragua´s media is undergoing a crisis due to the constant violations of press freedom.

The lack of press freedom is backed up by the government and president Daniel Ortega as the  established system encourages oppression and censorship that: “has made it extremely hard for the media to operate.” (RSF, 2018).

According to the Nicaraguan Association of Human Rights (ANPDH): “at least 350 people have been killed in the past three months.” The growing crisis has been manifested with physical violence, arbitrary arrest and confiscation, theft or destruction of equipment. Reporters attempting to cover the anti-government protests have often been directly targeted by soldiers and riot police. In response to such actions and as the situation continues, the RSF and the Inter American Press Association (IAPA), called on president Ortega in order to cease the current violations to reporters in Nicaragua. Reporters also manifested their intentions to open an investigation and punish attacks against journalists, as well, as to implement the proper measures to protect journalists and their families.