Accountability Sabotage and Journalism: Digital Authoritarian Practices and Chilling Effect in Latin America

This study inquires the phenomenon of accountability sabotage by examining digital authoritarianism and illiberal practices in four Latin American countries. Using a qualitative approach based on hermeneutics analysis, it combines document analysis from a sample of Human Rights institutes, NGOs, and journalist associations with in-depth interviews with practitioners. It investigates whether these practices have led to significant chilling effects and censorship among journalists and media outlets in Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and El Salvador. Our findings indicate that these countries exhibit notable authoritarian and illiberal practices undermining journalistic engagement in accountability. Additionally, the collusion between governments and elites, along with sophisticated digital repression tactics - such as bot-driven disinformation and online harassment - contributes to self-censorship and erosion of press freedom. These trends highlight the urgent need to address digital authoritarianism to protect democratic integrity and press freedom in the region.