With the outbreak of COVID-19 around the world there has never been a more urgent need to protect media freedom. As countries struggle to balance public safety and civil liberties, violations of freedom of expression, censorship and surveillance practices have emerged.
TrustLaw in collaboration with the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) developed a brief comparative analysis identifying measures implemented by Bolivia, Brazil, Dominican Republic, El Salvador and Peru in response to the COVID-19 pandemic which negatively impacted, or have the potential to restrict, freedom of expression and of the press.
The report analyzes new pandemic response measures, including, laws, executive orders, policies and other legal measures adopted by governments in these countries which have already affected or have the potential to restrict freedom of expression, of the press, and access to information. It also explores some of the reactions of civil society and journalists to these new rules, possible penalties for sharing “fake news”, and relevant international standards.
We believe this report is of paramount importance and will help raise awareness on the implementation of such kind of measures in Latin America.

Como consecuencia de la propagación del COVID-19 a nivel mundial se ha desatado la urgencia de proteger la libertad de medios. Mientras que los Estados intentaban equilibrar la seguridad pública y las libertades civiles, se produjeron violaciones a la libertad de expresión, censuras y prácticas de vigilancia.
TrustLaw junto con el Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) elaboraron un breve análisis comparativo para identificar aquellas medidas implementadas en Bolivia, Brasil, República Dominicana, El Salvador y Perú como respuesta a la pandemia ocasionada por el COVID-19 y que impactaron negativamente o podrían restringir la libertad de expresión y de prensa.
El informe analiza las medidas adoptadas en respuesta a la pandemia, que van desde leyes, decretos, políticas a normas que han afectado, o son pasibles de afectar, la libertad de expresión y de prensa y el acceso a la información. Además, aborda algunas de las reacciones de la sociedad civil y periodistas frente a ellas, posibles sanciones a quienes difunden “noticias falsas” y estándares internacionales de relevancia.
Creemos que este informe es de suma importancia y ayudará a generar conciencia acerca de la implementación de este tipo de medidas en América Latina.

Whistleblowing is an increasing practice used by employees and private individuals to call out corporate and government malpractice. This report is a summary of legal protections and risks faced by whistleblowers in Belgium, England & Wales, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the European Union institutions.

This report compares the relevant legal frameworks on electronic commerce in Nicaragua, Panama, Honduras, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, and El Salvador, with the aim of raising awareness of the status of Central American legislation on the matter. The guide is written in Spanish.

This report compares how access to public information is regulated in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, and Peru, with the aim of improving Ecuadorâ’s legal framework on the matter. The guide is written in Spanish.