Press freedom faces a crisis amid government harassment in El Salvador

Press freedom in crisis amid state harassment and censorship in El Salvador.

According to the latest IAPA report, press freedom is being gradually silenced by the Nayib Bukele government in El Salvador.

In recent months, intimidation, threats, and other pressures have forced the exile of at least 40 Salvadoran journalists.

In addition, between May and July 2025, the Association of Journalists of El Salvador (APES) recorded 180 attacks on journalists, including harassment both digital and physical harassment, insults, and restrictions on professional practice.

In mid-September, APES itself publicly announced its closure of operations in El Salvador due to the new Foreign Agents Law (LAEX) enacted by the Bukele government.

The LAEX makes it difficult for projects with foreign cooperation funds, such as independent and community media, to operate.

Before closing its operations, APES warned of possible watch lists and arrests of journalists in El Salvador.

On the other hand, the IAPA’s conclusions on El Salvador coincide with other indicators of press freedom, such as the Chapultepec Index of Freedom of Expression and the Press and the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) World Press Freedom Index.

For the former, El Salvador has a score of 31.53, making it a country with «high restrictions» on press freedom, while RSF places it 134 out of 180, meaning it is in a «difficult situation» for journalistic practice.

For the IAPA, the situation in El Salvador and other Central American countries is related to the democratic setback in EE.UU., a country where press freedom is also being threatened.