Officials target journalist with verbal abuse, defamation, surveillance, and online harassment

Location: El Savador, El Refugio

Date: April 4, 2024

Women Press Freedom expresses unwavering solidarity with a woman journalist in El Salvador — who remains anonymous due to safety concerns — lodging a complaint with the Attorney General's Office following an assault during the January electoral campaign. The incident allegedly involved municipal officials from El Refugio, Ahuachapán. We firmly reject any form of aggression and censorship directed at journalists fulfilling their journalistic duties. We call on the relevant authorities to conduct a comprehensive investigation and ensure accountability for those responsible for the assault. Authorities must uphold press freedom and recognize the indispensable role of journalism in presenting a diverse range of voices that depict the national reality, particularly in countries such as El Salvador, where freedom of expression, press freedom, and access to information are persistently imperiled. 

Read latest reports from the globe

The Association of Journalists of El Salvador (APES) filed a formal complaint with the Attorney General's Office on Thursday morning, April 4, 2024, concerning an assault on a journalist during the January electoral campaign, reportedly involving municipal officials from El Refugio, Ahuachapán, who were involved in verbal abuse, defamation, surveillance, and online harassment directed at the journalist.

Feusier stated, "Although this may not appear to be a major offense, it is substantial as it signifies a series of minor actions that have been organized and are being consistently directed at journalists in our nation.”

These actions amount to crimes against honor and the right to a life free from violence against women, along with potential abuses of power by public authorities. These incidents took place in an electoral context, given the approaching elections.

Gabriel Labrador, APES Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression, emphasized the significance of reporting such cases to the appropriate institutions to aid in conducting thorough investigations.

"We believe that several actions taken could amount to criminal offenses, which is why we have brought this aggression to the attention of the appropriate authorities. We aim for this to set a precedent," Labrador remarked.

Reading a statement from the journalist, whose identity remains confidential for safety reasons, Labrador underscored the need to reject normalizing such acts of aggression. "Women journalists face a heightened risk of violence for exercising our freedom of expression and due to our gender," the journalist's statement emphasized.

In 2024, the APES documented 53 complaints involving various attacks on journalists, constraints on journalistic practices, and digital assaults. There is a systematic pattern of hostile behavior towards the press by both authorities and supporters, mainly from various political parties, with a notable focus on the ruling party. 

Women Press Freedom expresses solidarity with the woman journalist and wholeheartedly backs her choice to pursue legal action against her attackers. The press, information, and the vital work performed by journalists are crucial for a true democracy. We call upon authorities to treat any assaults and acts of aggression against media professionals with seriousness and utmost urgency. We insist on a comprehensive investigation into the accusations and the delivery of justice to those accountable for the offenses against the journalist.

Women Press Freedom is an initiative by The Coalition For Women In Journalism

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.