On March 7, 2019, the Inter American Dialogue hosted an event titled “Media and Democracy in the Americas II: #NoSoyTuEnemigo.” The Dialogue partnered with Fundamedios USA, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, Reporters Without Borders, the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, the Committee to Protect Journalists, the Pan-American Development Foundation, and the Inter-American Society of the Press (SIP) to discuss new and old threats to freedom of the press in the Americas. The event featured three panels, the first covering the impact of the rise of politicians that decry and demonize a free press on violence against journalists and a climate of fear and self-censorship. The second panel focused on the influence of deliberate, malicious disinformation–so-called “fake news”–disseminated over social media on national elections, polarizing and radicalizing social and political views and eroding consensus and community ties. The third panel discussed the current status of protection mechanisms for journalists, highlighting ongoing challenges and recommendations.
