The Inter-American Press Association (IAPA) has issued a warning about regulatory backsliding and institutional tensions that are undermining press freedom in the Dominican Republic, according to its latest mid-year report.
The regional body highlighted the persistence of legal uncertainties, the lack of progress in modernizing the legal framework governing communication, and the emergence of legislative proposals that could restrict independent journalism.
Diario Libre reports on the critical points of concern cited by the regional press entity. These are:
• Outdated media law reform: A critical issue is the proposed reform of Law 6132 on Expression and Dissemination of Thought, which has been in effect since 1962. Although a draft bill was prepared by a special commission two years ago, it remains under review by the Legal Counsel of the Executive Branch. In March, President Luis Abinader pledged to send it to the National Congress, but the process remains stalled, indicating “a lack of political will or internal disagreements,” according to IAPA.
• Concerning legislative initiatives: Meanwhile, concerning legislative proposals have emerged from the Congress. Ruling party deputies Bolívar Valera and Amado Díaz have independently proposed bills to regulate digital media, content creators, and influencers. While not yet fully debated, these texts raise alarms among free speech advocates due to their potential impact on information flow in digital platforms.
• Honor vs. expression debate: In March 2025, Senate President Ricardo de los Santos called for “clear consequences” against defamation, following unsubstantiated claims that journalists were agents of the defunct U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). This episode reignited the debate about the balance between the right to honor and freedom of expression.
• Data protection policy: The Supreme Court of Justice’s data protection policy, adopted in November 2024 and rejected by the Dominican Newspaper Society (SDD), allowed judges to discreetly classify judicial information as confidential. IAPA argues this hurts transparency and limits investigative journalism. A joint commission between the SCJ and SDD was formed to revise the policy, with a revised version expected this quarter.
• Intelligence Agency Law Struck Down: In December 2024, the Constitutional Court annulled Law 1-24, which created the National Intelligence Department (DNI), deeming it a violation of fundamental principles as it granted state agents excessive powers, such as seizing data or summoning individuals without judicial authorization. The law was widely criticized by media outlets, legal experts, and human rights defenders.
The IAPA also decried the systematic non-compliance with the General Law on Free Access to Public Information by government institutions. Notable cases include the Dominican Port Authority’s refusal to provide information on the lease of Naval Shipyards, as denounced by Diario Libre, and Listín Diario’s unsuccessful request to Edeeste for a list of long-term delinquent customers.
These developments underscore the complex landscape facing press freedom in the Dominican Republic, with legal uncertainties and proposed regulations posing significant challenges to independent journalism.
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Diario Libre
28 April 2025