Click Icon for Communication Overview

Media Environment

The Nicaraguan constitution provides for freedom of the press. However, it also allows for some forms of state control, and observers note a considerably deterioration in the media environment over the past few years. Notably, the Ortega administration has sought to discredit opposition voices within the media by referring to them as “traitors” and “murderers”. [1] Reporters Sans Frontieres’ Press Freedom Index for Nicaragua fell from a global ranking of 47th in 2007 to 76th in 2009.

The typical method of coercing the media is through the preferential treatment of journalists who are loyal to the ruling party (FSLN) and to intimidate those who are critical. [2] The government reportedly threatened both Channel 10 and Channel 2 that if they did not cancel the show of popular political commentator Jaime Arellano their broadcasting licenses would not be renewed.

The administration has also favored pro-government media outlets by channeling public-sector advertising money to them. According to the human rights organization Freedom House, the government spent approximately $10 million in 2008 on state advertising, of which 80 percent was paid to perceived pro-government outlets. This practice, combined with the recent financial crisis, has put the livelihood of dozens of stations in jeopardy. [3]

Chart 1

The AudienceScapes urban survey shows a citizenry that is aware of the strong domestic influences on the media: 63 percent of respondents agreed with that statement that the government influences the media, while 70 percent agreed that economic groups influence the media. Seventy-one percent of respondents also recognized that the media practices some form of self-censorship..

Despite a large of majority of respondents holding these opinions, 69 percent agreed with the statement that the Nicaraguan media is free. In fact, 84 percent said they either completely or somewhat trust the media.

By contrast, only 53 percent said they trust the government in general, and only 29 percent voiced trust in Parliament. For further information on public perceptions of state institutions and the media see our article, Democracy, Governance and the Media.

[1] “Map of Press Freedom: Nicaragua”. Freedom House. Washington, D.C. 2009. Accessed December 2009. http://www.freedomhouse.org/template.cfm?page=251&year=2009.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Bachmann, Ingrid. “Nicaragua's radio stations struggle to stay on the air.” Knight Center for Journalism for the Americans. 8 September 2009. Austin, Texas. Accessed December 2009. http://knightcenter.utexas.edu/blog/?q=en/node/5132.