The media's power is frail. Without the people's support, it can be
shut off with the ease of turning a light switch.   – Corazon Aquino

Latin America & the Caribbean

Costa Rica

   

{This graph represents scores that have been modified by CIMA so that higher scores indicate a better media situation. It is intended to show trends over time; each index measures significantly different factors of press freedom. To see an explanation for how this graph was created, click here.}
 

Freedom House Score: 18 (Free) [Freedom House Methodology]
{Lower is Better, Score Ranges from 0 to 100}  


 

RSF Score: 8.08 [RSF Methodology]
{Lower is Better, Score Ranges from 0 to ~120}  


Reporters Without Borders Description:

Costa Rica is a beacon of human rights amid the lawlessness often found in Central America. President Oscar Arias (2006-2010) sponsored peace agreements to end civil wars in the region during his first term (1986-1990) and the continent’s highest jurisdiction, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, is based in San José, the capital.

The government has moved towards decriminalising media offences. After a debate about updating the press and freedom of expression law, the supreme court on 11 February 2010 struck down the controversial article 7 of the 1902 press law which allowed journalists, editors and media owners to be jailed for up to 120 days for defamation and “insults.”

Read more on RSF’s site…

 

 

Committee to Protect Journalists Description: [What is the Committee to Protect Journalists?]

Visit CPJ’s Site for Recent Developments in this Country

 

IFEX News: [What is IFEX?]

Visit IFEX’s Site for Recent News on Media in this Country