Central America: What It Means to Be a Journalist Today

Central America has experienced an impressive growth in independent, investigative journalism in recent years, focused on key issues such as democracy, corruption, migration, human rights, gender issues, Indigenous movements, and social, economic and environmental struggles. Journalists in the region have also faced mounting censorship, surveillance, and persecution. In this panel, we will hear from three leading journalists from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras on the successes, setbacks, and challenges of journalism in Central America. 

• Julia Gavarrete is an investigative journalist from El Salvador who works in newsroom and documentary production, most recently with El Faro. In 2019, the International Women’s Media Foundation named her as one of 19 women changing journalism.
• Regina Pérez is a Maya K'iche' multi-media reporter and editor with Prensa Comunitaria in Guatemala, covering issues related to human rights, Indigenous peoples, criminalization, and historical memory.
• Allan Bu is an investigative reporter in Honduras with the digital media publication, Contracorriente, where he covers topics such as migration and human rights.