Protection mechanisms: RSF report analyses journalist safety programs in five Latin American countries

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Ensuring a safe environment for journalists remains a critical challenge for Latin America's democracies. Since 2000, at least 338 journalists have been killed in the region, highlighting the urgent need for protection mechanisms to counter systemic violence. In a new report, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) analysed journalist protection programs in Chile, Ecuador, Guatemala, Paraguay, and Peru, reaffirming its commitment to addressing the escalating threats against journalists.

Protection mechanisms are state-led initiatives aimed at safeguarding individuals who are at risk due to their journalistic work or their efforts to combat corruption, organised crime, and abuses by authorities. Countries like Colombia, Mexico, Brazil, and Honduras have already established such mechanisms, as documented in RSF’s February 2022 report. More recently, Ecuador and Peru launched their initiatives, while Guatemala is attempting to implement a protection policy after years of hostility toward the media. Draft laws are also under discussion in Chile and Paraguay.

Despite this progress, many programs lack the resources and capacity to provide effective support. Delays, limited budgets, and the absence of clear protocols hinder their ability to respond to threats and hold perpetrators accountable.

“Violence against the press in Latin America has reached alarming levels. Governments must be institutionally prepared to protect at-risk journalists and prevent avoidable tragedies. RSF is actively monitoring protection mechanisms across the region and, with this report, has issued recommendations for newly created and developing programs in Chile, Ecuador, Guatemala, Paraguay, and Peru. These mechanisms are not just critical for journalists’ safety — they are vital for preserving democracy in Latin America. 

Artur Romeu
Director of RSF's Latin America Bureau

Country Highlights: Challenges and Progress

Guatemala
Guatemala’s media environment remains precarious. Promises to establish a journalist protection program, made after the civil war, between 1960 to 1996, have yet to materialise. Progress has been slow since President Otto Pérez Molina’s resignation in 2015, with conditions worsening under President Alejandro Giammattei. President Bernardo Arévalo, in office since January 2024, has pledged to restore protections for journalists, but weak congressional support and judiciary resistance — partly influenced by prior administrations — undermine these efforts.

Ecuador
Ecuador’s mechanism, established in 2023 after the high-profile killing of journalist Fernando Villavicencio, suffers from chronic underfunding and a lack of institutional support. A refusal to allocate a dedicated budget for 2024-2025 has left it reliant on external aid. The mechanism is further hampered by poor coordination among government departments, which leads to delays and failures in implementing protective measures.

Peru
Peru introduced a protection mechanism in 2021 under pressure from the UN, but it remains ineffective due to limited funding, insufficient staffing, and a lack of legal coordination frameworks. These weaknesses are compounded by President Dina Boluarte’s administration, which has supported policies undermining press freedom, including attempts to criminalise journalists covering protests.

Paraguay and Chile
In Chile, the 2022 murder of journalist Francisca Sandoval highlighted the growing risks to media workers. A journalist protection bill passed the House of Representatives in March 2024 but has stalled in the Senate due to funding and legal framework issues. Similarly, Paraguay has struggled with journalist safety, with over 600 cases of violence documented since the 1990s. A proposed protection mechanism bill has been delayed in the Senate since 2023, facing resistance in a conservative political climate.

RSF's 10 recommendations for effective journalist protection mechanisms

  1. Robust judicial frameworks
  2. Institutional coordination
  3. Inclusive definitions of target groups
  4. Comprehensive protection
  5. Specific protocols for journalists
  6. Gender, race, ethnicity, and diversity-sensitive approaches
  7. Permanent, flexible budgets
  8. Well-trained technical personnel
  9. Civil society participation
  10. Credibility and active transparency

Read the full report HERE.

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