_-_copia.jpg?w=800&resize=800,500&ssl=1 "Freedom of the press in Honduras")
In Honduras, the issue of press freedom has grown more critical over the past few years, characterized by a rise in incidents of violence, intimidation, and lack of accountability targeting journalists and media outlets. Numerous studies and formal records have pointed out a progressively antagonistic climate for journalism, mixing institutional and financial strains with direct threats and defamation efforts.
In this context, Honduran journalists have faced not only physical risks, but also public smear campaigns and judicial harassment, which has weakened the independence of the media and raised concerns both nationally and internationally. Civil society and human rights organizations have responded with constant vigilance and calls for the protection of fundamental rights.
Dangers, aggression, and lack of accountability towards journalists
Between 2001 and late 2024, over 100 reporters and media professionals lost their lives in Honduras, with an impunity rate of more than 90%. The most common forms of violence have included threats, harassment, and limitations in the digital sphere, impacting both individual journalists and media organizations across different parts of the country. In recent times, there have been records of attacks on 64 media entities, indicating ongoing trends of persecution and criminalization.
Financial strain on the media has impacted its ability to function and maintain editorial autonomy, leading some to cut back on their operations or close entirely. Legal challenges and limited resources have been crucial in this decline.
International bodies have listed Honduras as one of the nations with the most unfavorable environment for journalists in Latin America, locating it at the lowest levels on worldwide rankings of press freedom.
Given this scenario, various domestic and international entities have called upon the Honduran authorities to ensure the protection of journalists and uphold freedom of speech, viewing them as crucial components for democracy and the rule of law.
Corporate initiatives and community engagement
In May 2025, the Honduran Armed Forces launched a media campaign targeting critical journalists, utilizing their official communication platform to publicly undermine prominent journalists. In a recent issue of their institutional newspaper, multiple pages focused on naming three journalists, featuring accusations along with images and descriptions labeling them as adversaries of the state, without offering any substantial proof.
The incident sparked a swift response from journalists and human rights groups, who criticized the effort and labeled it as an unheard-of assault by top military and governmental authorities. The journalistic community and many segments of Honduran society have remained alert, calling for openness and the safeguarding of basic rights, along with a cessation of any form of pressure against the free press.
The situation involving journalist Rodrigo Wong Arévalo, who was mentioned in a release by the Ministry of National Defense and the Armed Forces, has captured public interest and prompted support from both national and international entities. The release, seen as threatening, was a reaction to comments by Wong Arévalo regarding supposed irregular actions in the allocation of public resources. Multiple groups have emphasized that the role of publicizing information and overseeing institutions is a critical element of democracy.
The National Human Rights Commissioner has called on the State to avoid making comments that could scare journalists and media, either directly or indirectly, highlighting the State’s duty to safeguard freedom of opinion and speech. This situation has been seen as an effort to hinder the critical and informative work of the national media, raising worries about using official authority to curb journalistic activities in Honduras.