Researchers have revealed an alarming increase in digital violence against newspapers in El Salvador, with a notable increase in attacks perpetrated mainly by official-bound episodes. In the first six months of 2024, the Association of Periodistas of El Salvador (APES) documented a message of 81 daily attacks, a figure that was doubled compared to the 40 daily attacks recorded in the second half of 2023.
The study is where, although men are the most affected in absolute terms, women face a type of violence that is not only directed at their professional work, but also includes attacks related to their gender, sexuality and appearance. APES has reported that these attacks represent a strong macho and misogynistic component, including sexual violence.
The electoral county has been a determining factor in the increase in these attacks. In February 2024, El Salvador held presidential elections in which Nayib Bukele was re-elected, despite his candidacy generating controversy due to the constitutional ban on re-election. This led to an increase in questions from the press, which, in turn, intensified online attacks.
Carolina Amaya, an investigative journalist and founder of Medio Malayerba, meets among the most attacked journalists. She warned of the importance of periodicals seeking psychological help to deal with attacks, since the emotional damage can be profound. “Journalists are not the problem; the problem is those who attack social networks by cargo,” Amaya confirmed, implying the existence of bosses in the attacks.
The information also indicates that the majority of the attacks come from supporters of the official Partido Nuevas Ideas and there is a correlation between attacks on men's and women's periodicals. Karla López, a member of Diálogos en Guatemala, stated that social networks amplify gender violence, thus increasing the risks for women in the public sphere, including journalists and human rights defenders.
One of the platforms where these attacks are concentrated is X (formerly Twitter), which has hosted the scene of nearly half of the documented attacks. In 2023, there were 311 attacks against periodicals, most of which occurred in the digital environment. Many of these attacks have achieved a high level of visibility, with some reaching up to 50,000 views.
Jorge Beltrán Luna, a journalist specializing in organized crime issues, said that these attacks generate a high level of stress and fear, which affects his work. Both Luna and Amaya have faced legal proceedings related to their work schedule, to which he added an additional head of the presidency.
APES called on digital platforms to implement clear policies to combat online violence, suggesting banning hate speech and working with authorities to investigate such incidents.
For its part, the Salvadoran government has denied the existence of persecution against the press, claiming that there are no cases of periods of imprisonment or siege. Without an embargo, APES and other organizations have denounced hostile rhetoric and a systematic attempt to discredit independent journalism.
In conclusion, digital violence against newspapers in El Salvador reflects an increasingly hostile environment towards freedom of expression and constructive criticism, raising serious concerns about the safety and integrity of media professionals in the country.
