In the final stretch toward the presidential runoff on April 13, six international organizations urged Daniel Noboa and Luisa González to guarantee press freedom. The entities warned about the growing deterioration of journalistic practice in Ecuador, worsened by insecurity and informational restrictions.
The statement was signed by CPJ, SIP, RSF, FLIP, Fundamedios, and Journalists Without Chains, who addressed a letter to both candidates. There, they demanded five essential commitments to protect independent journalism, highlighting that its defense is vital for democracy.
Among the proposed actions are: guaranteeing access to information, avoiding political or judicial reprisals against the press, and fostering a safe environment for journalists. They also demanded avoiding any form of prior censorship or penalization of journalistic work.
The document warned that journalism in Ecuador suffers from persistent violence, stigmatization from power, and judicial abuses. Additionally, it warned about the risk of returning to restrictive policies like the Correa-era Communication Law, which severely limited informational freedom.
