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As Latin America and the Caribbean experience democratic decline and the expansion of organized crime, the fundamental role that independent media plays in shedding light on abuses of power comes at a huge cost. This is particularly clear in closed or semi-closed countries that lack the independent institutions that provide checks and balances on executive power and where journalists are instrumental to documenting and exposing the lack of transparency, corruption, human rights violations, and other abuses. As a result, independent media becomes a target for retaliation, facing attacks from both those in power and organized crime groups—attacks for which perpetrators rarely face consequences.
Join the Inter-American Dialogue for this hybrid event on February 6, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM EST. The panel discussion will go beyond the diagnosis, identifying strategies to protect independent media and its fundamental role in curbing democratic backsliding in closed or semi-closed countries. What would a roadmap to protect independent journalism in repressive contexts look like? What lessons can be learned from recent experiences in the region, including in the 2024 post-electoral context in Venezuela, and other closed spaces globally? How can technology be used to support independent media, and what risks does it pose? What role do average citizens play in producing, sharing, and gathering information, and how can it be strengthened? What should democratic governments, cooperation agencies, and private foundations prioritize when funding the work of independent journalists?
Follow this event on X (formerly Twitter) @The_Dialogue.
This event will be held in Spanish.
OPENING REMARKS
TAMARA TARACIUK BRONER
Director, Rule of Law Program, Inter-American Dialogue (@TamaraTaraciuk)
SPEAKERS
ROBERTA BRAGA
Founder and Executive Director, Digital Democracy Institute of the Americas (DDIA) (@RobertaSBraga)
VICTOR AMAYA
Editorial Director, Tal Cual (@victoramaya)
JUAN LORENZO HOLMANN
General Manager, La Prensa (@JuanLHolmannCh)
JOSÉ LUIS SANZ
Former Director, El Faro (@jlsanz)
MODERATOR
MARÍA MOLINA
Correspondent, Univision News Network and LA FM of RCN Radio (@MariaMolinaDC)