Country Profile: Nicaragua
Context
CONTEXT
NICARAGUA MEDIA IN EXILE SINCE 2018
Independent Nicaraguan media operate almost entirely from exile, with over 25 journalistic initiatives providing news coverage mostly from Costa Rica, Spain, and the U.S. The first mass relocation began in 2018, when the Ortega regime violently repressed protests. This included a brutal attack against the independent press: the assassination of reporter Angel Gahona, the assault against Radio Darío, physical attacks and harassment against reporters, closing of independent media outlets Confidencial and 100% Noticias, and the incarceration of journalists Miguel Mora and Lucía Pineda – all these measures pushed dozens of journalists into exile. Despite the return of some journalists in late 2019, the repression escalated again in 2021. Authorities have weaponized the judicial system against journalists, relying on two repressive laws, the Cybercrime Law and the Foreign Agents Law, to criminalize independent reporting. Arbitrary arrests, asset seizures, and the outright confiscation of media properties have become common tactics.
The second and massive wave of media relocation took place in 2021 and continued in the following years. In 2024, the last group of at least 30 independent reporters, were forced to leave to exile, as a result of police persecution. The state has taken over entire newsrooms, replacing independent journalism with official propaganda. As a result, at least 283 media workers (including 217 journalists) fled the country, more than 60 media outlets were been confiscated or closed.
The situation worsened further in November 2024, when a constitutional reform granted the regime expanded powers to monitor media under the pretext of preventing outlets from “serving the interests” of foreign governments. This move has cemented Nicaragua’s place among the most hostile environments for journalists and independent media consumers. At the same time, an informational blackout, initiated by the Ortega regime, has pushed dozens of Nicaraguans to turn to digital platforms and consume independent media in exile. To illustrate, in January 2025, Confidencial reached 500,000 YouTube subscribers, proving the demand for independent news. Meanwhile, Galería News innovates with strong visual storytelling, and La Lupa amplifies feminist perspectives.
Despite their commitment, many journalists struggle to continue their work, as over a third of exiled journalists have had to take on other jobs to survive. Beyond financial struggles, journalists face severe security risks, with many working under pseudonyms to protect themselves and their families. Government surveillance makes reporting, fact-checking, and verification for exiled journalistic teams increasingly difficult. For most journalists, returning to Nicaragua would mean imprisonment. A stark example is Miguel Mendoza, a journalist sentenced to prison for fulfilling his professional duties, later released and deported to the United States. Yet, despite overwhelming obstacles, exiled Nicaraguan journalists persist, establishing their legal entities and operations in exile, mainly reaching digitally competent and urban audiences. Their resilience ensures that, even from abroad, they remain a crucial and trusted source of information for Nicaraguans seeking truth beyond state propaganda.