In light of alarming developments concerning press freedoms in Peru, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has issued a stark warning highlighting a “major offensive” against journalistic liberties involving all three branches of the government. The concerns emerge against a backdrop of heightened violence that includes the murders of several journalists within the first quarter of 2025, a severity not witnessed since 2017. As reported by RSF, such incidents signify a severe deterioration in the democratic environment, prompting an urgent call for Peruvian authorities to enhance protections for the press.
This period of intensified hostility can be attributed to a series of legislative reforms and judicial actions that visibly seek to limit press freedoms. Notably, a contentious piece of legislation, often referred to as the “gag law,” has emerged as a focal point of international criticism. This law proposes stricter defamation penalties, increases governmental oversight over civil society groups, and advocates for potentially arbitrary sanctions under the guise of maintaining public order and national defense. Peruvian journalists fear that such measures could severely hinder efforts to investigate corruption, a vital function of the press that serves as a check against governmental abuses.
- The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, and other reputed organizations have voiced strong opposition to this law, citing its constraints on civic space and free association.
- The law’s implications extend beyond media circles into wider realms of civil society operations, raising significant human rights concerns globally.
- Ineffectiveness in upholding the freedoms constitutionally enshrined and guaranteed through national policies is further evidenced by Peru’s ranking of 130th out of 180 countries in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, with reports of law enforcement using excessive force against journalists emerging.
As deliberations on the “gag law” continue, stakeholders urge the Peruvian Legislature to re-evaluate the direction of these reforms and refrain from undermining freedoms of expression and the essential role of an informed, active civil society. Given the legislative barrier and societal atmosphere, the international legal community remains attentive to developments within Peru, advocating for reinforcements in institutional protections and adherence to democratic processes in safeguarding press freedoms. For more on these evolving developments, read the original report on JURIST.