Colombia: Press freedom concerns rise over alleged presidential media restrictions

Lawyer Vanessa López Ochoa has raised concerns regarding potential threats to press freedom in Colombia following reports of an alleged order by President Abelardo De la Espriella. According to reports by Caracol Radio, documents suggest the President may have instructed ministers to restrict press conferences and interviews to media outlets deemed ‘friendly,’ except for strategic matters or those with prior authorization.

While the specific instruction was not included in Presidential Directive No. 01 of 2026, that document does require coordination with the Presidency’s Communications and Press Secretariat for all interviews. López Ochoa argues that conditioning access to public information based on editorial affinity violates democratic principles and the citizens' right to information. She cited Inter-American Court of Human Rights precedents stating that states cannot restrict journalistic rights based on political discrepancies.