The Special Rapporteur publishes its 2024 Annual Report

May 9, 2025

Washington, D.C. – The Special Rapporteurship for Freedom of Expression (SRFOE) of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) publishes its 2024 Annual Report, which presents the main trends, challenges, and advances in the exercise of the right to freedom of expression and of the press in the Americas.

This report is the result of the Special Rapporteurship's monitoring work, structured around four thematic areas: (i) Journalism and democracy; (ii) Freedom of expression, the rule of law, and democratic institutions; (iii) Freedom of expression and the fight against discrimination and exclusion; and (iv) Freedom of expression and the Internet. The Office emphasizes that this document is an annex to the Annual Report of the IACHR.

With regard to journalism and democracy, the Special Rapporteurship noted with concern the continuing trend of lethal violence against journalists in the Americas, with reports of at least 22 journalists killed in 2024 in six of the 35 member states of the Organization of American States (OAS) under its monitoring, crimes that could be linked to their professional work.

In this context, murders of journalists were reported in Mexico (8), Colombia (7), Haiti (3), Honduras (2), Ecuador (1), and Jamaica (1). In light of this situation, the Office reiterates that significant challenges remain in the fight against impunity in the region and therefore urges States to investigate these crimes thoroughly, objectively, and impartially, punish those responsible, and ensure adequate reparation for the victims. In addition to lethal violence, the Special Rapporteur has documented other acts of aggression against the press, including stigmatization by official voices and the activation of judicial mechanisms against journalists and media outlets that report on matters of public interest.

With regard to democratic institutionality, in 2024 the Special Rapporteurship documented multiple and diverse social protests in the region, during which acts of violence against journalists and protesters were reported, committed by both security forces and private individuals. The documented incidents include the alleged disproportionate use of force by State agents and, in some cases, the stigmatization and criminalization of persons exercising their right to protest. In addition, significant changes were observed in legislation on transparency and access to information, as well as a growing interest in regulating the functioning of civil society organizations.

With respect to efforts to combat discrimination and exclusion, this Office observed with concern the progressive deterioration of public debate, as evidenced by the increase in hate speech, discrimination, and intolerance towards persons belonging to vulnerable or historically marginalized groups in some States in the region. In addition, there have been attacks against women journalists that have elements of gender-based violence.

Finally, on matters pertaining to the Internet, the Rapporteurship has followed debates and initiatives aimed at regulating social media platforms in response to the challenges arising from the spread of violent discourses, hate speech and disinformation in the digital sphere. The Office also notes that these challenges are compounded by the rapid advancement of generative Artificial Intelligence and the use of technologies to profile, monitor, and intimidate journalists and other civil society actors.

This is the twenty-sixth Annual Report prepared by the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression since its creation in 1997.      

·         To access the full 2024 Annual Report, click here.

To access the full 2024 Annual Report, click here. The Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression is an office created by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) to promote the defense of the right to freedom of thought and expression in the hemisphere, considering its fundamental role in the consolidation and development of the democratic system.

No. R094/25

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