EL SALVADOR

The media continue to enjoy ample freedom of speech. This is with the support of President Antonio Saca, who understands work that journalists do and is fostering a climate of open debate and freedom of thought.

However, some members of his Cabinet tend to occasionally avoid the most critical media outlets and come up with excuses to deny interviews. La Prensa Gráfica has experienced several incidents where ministers or deputy ministers have avoided speaking to journalists about controversial issues.

Meanwhile, relations between the Supreme Court and the media remain one of the biggest problems related to freedom of information.

Six months ago, the Supreme Court instituted a system of spokespersons and press conferences that has caused widespread unease among the media. The situation continues to worsen, as journalists are finding it very difficult to gain access to information from the various divisions of the Supreme Court, find out about justices’ opinions, and learn how the court’s funds are handled. The chief justice himself has not granted interviews to newspapers, despite repeated requests.

The Court of Accounts, which serves as a comptroller’s office for the government, is still blocking access to its reports and invoking legal provisions that allow it to delay release of its reports. However, it leaks information to the media at key political moments, acting as a unit of the National Conciliation Party (PCN).

No physical assaults on journalists or major threats were reported in this period.

In a positive development, print, radio and television media outlets have joined together against violence. During the past six months, publishers and their respective editors teamed up and worked together to make significant editorial changes in how they cover crime in El Salvador. They also coordinated efforts to promote a publicity campaign on values that is currently in full swing.

Never before in the history of Salvadoran journalism have nearly all media outlets found common ground on a topic deemed to be of national concern.