Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Media
International media-monitoring bodies have reported that freedom of the press in Ni-
caragua has deteriorated significantly under the Frente Sandinista de Liberación Nacional
(Sandinista National Liberation Front; FSLN) government, although an independent media
still operates in the country.
The current FSLN leadership are particularly media savvy and have made controlling the
airwaves a priority. According to the
New York Times,
since returning to power, Daniel
Ortega has invested heavily in media operations, while at the same time cutting govern-
ment advertising in non-Sandinista outlets. The newspaper goes on to report that Ortega's
children run television networks Multinoticias, Channel 8 and Channel 13, and that the
FSLN leader now controls nearly half of Nicaragua's television outlets.
According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Ortega uses these media outlets
to launch 'character attacks against his critics' as part of an effort to marginalize independ-
ent media. In its 2010 Freedom of Press report, Freedom House notes that Ortega referred
to the independent media in the country as 'terrorists, agents of the CIA,' and 'sons of
Goebbels.'
The CPJ lists the 'most egregrious example of government intimidation' as that directed
at television journalist Carlos Fernando Chamorro, son of former
La Prensa
editor Pedro
Joaquín Chamorro whose assasination by Somoza was one of the sparks of the revolution.
Following the airing of reports on an extortion scheme involving the Sandinista party,
Chamorro was formally investigated for money laundering. After a wave of domestic and
international criticism, the charges were later dropped.
In Caribbean Nicaragua, domino tournaments are serious events, with neighborhood clubs
decked out in team T-shirts slamming down tiles in front of noisy spectators.
Despite Nicaraguan law stating that officials must supply accurate information to the
media upon request, local journalists have reported restrictions in accessing government
press conferences and officials, while those working for government-linked news outlets
are given free reign. The CPJ reports that First Lady Rosario Murillo is a 'virtual prime
minister' who manages all of the government's communications, and officials in the exec-
utive branch are permitted to talk to the press only with her authorization.
