Politician’s brother threatens journalist over corruption report amid growing concerns about pressure on media

Expression

Journalist threatened by politician’s brother after reporting on corruption case

On 13th May 2025, journalist Patricia Madrid reported receiving threatening messages on Instagram from Juan Andrés Besozzi Arocena, brother of the re-elected mayor of Soriano, Guillermo Besozzi.

According to the Centre for Archive and Access to Public Information (Cainfo), the first threats emerged on 17th March 2025, shortly after Madrid published an editorial on the judicial decision to indict Guillermo Besozzi for alleged corruption offences. She received further messages on 12th June following his electoral victory. The communications included explicit warnings such as: “don’t bother me again or this will escalate” and “I won’t let you speak badly of my family.”

Madrid, who presents the programme Así nos va on Radio Carve, confirmed that she filed a criminal complaint. Cainfo described the case as particularly serious, stressing that intimidation of journalists violates international standards and erodes democracy.

Media outlets pressured to remove reports on attack against businessman

On 21st May 2025, businessman Francisco De Posadas, head of Grupo Magnolio, and people in his circle allegedly exerted undue pressure on media outlets to remove from their digital editions a report on an attack that occurred at his offices. The incident involved the deliberate burning of De Posadas’s vehicle in the Carrasco neighbourhood that morning. The police confirmed the event and released images showing two hooded men approaching and setting fire to the car.

At least half of the eight outlets that initially reported the incident withdrew their articles. Another outlet decided not to publish after receiving direct communications from De Posadas or his close associates.

The case is significant given De Posadas’s increasing influence in the national media sector through the acquisition of several outlets. Grupo Magnolio currently controls El Espectador Deportes (810 AM and 92.5 FM), FM Del Sol, Azul FM (Montevideo and Maldonado), and Disney FM. Through the Mainau Group, where he has served as founder and CEO since 2016, De Posadas also holds interests in other sectors.

On 25th May 2025, the Collective of Journalists of Uruguay (Encuentro de Periodistas del Uruguay)—a group of journalists established in 2024—emphasised the seriousness of yielding to pressure once an editorial decision has been taken to publish information, and of engaging in self-censorship for reasons unrelated to professional journalistic assessment. They asserted that such practices must not be accepted or normalised, as compliance with such pressures directly affects the population’s right to be informed.

Report warns of press freedom restrictions despite decline in cases

On 5th May 2025, the press freedom organisation Cainfo released its annual report on journalism and freedom of expression in Uruguay. The report documented 51 cases of restrictions against journalists from April 2024 to March 2025, a decrease from 69 incidents in 2022 and the lowest figure in the past four years. This decline is significant given the electoral context, traditionally marked by heightened tensions between politicians and the press.

Despite this positive development, the report highlights continued attacks against journalists and persistent stigmatising discourse by state authorities. State officials and political figures were responsible for 49 per cent of cases, private actors for 33 per cent, and unidentified groups for 18 per cent.

Cainfo expressed particular concern about the decision of Acting Attorney General Mónica Ferrero, who issued a resolution banning the publication of requests for formalisation in criminal cases until a final conviction is handed down. This measure limits public access to information about judicial proceedings of clear public interest and overturns the previous transparency policy of the Office of the Prosecutor General. The decision came just one week before the formalisation of Guillermo Besozzi, former mayor of Soriano, on corruption charges.

On 28th March 2025, the Ministry of Defence obstructed a freedom of information request by demanding that a journalist from El País present proof of voting. This document, known as the constancia de voto, is a certificate issued by the Electoral Court after each election to confirm that a citizen has fulfilled their compulsory voting duty. While voting is mandatory in Uruguay, the certificate is not a legal requirement for accessing public information.

A similar practice was reported on 31st March 2025, when the Ministry of Economy and Finance imposed the same condition on a journalist from Channel 12. These measures run contrary to Uruguay’s Access to Public Information Law (Law No. 18.381), which establishes that any person, regardless of nationality or civic status, has the right to request information from public bodies without the need to justify their request.

The report also noted stigmatising discourse (28 per cent of cases) and physical assaults (18 per cent). On 10th February 2025, Martín Lema, candidate for mayor of Montevideo from the National Party under the Republican Coalition and former Minister of Social Development, announced that he would shut down TV Ciudad if elected. The municipal open television channel, which receives an annual budget of about USD 8 million, would no longer receive funding. Lema said those resources should instead go to infrastructure and public services.

When asked directly if this meant the channel would close, Lema confirmed that without funding TV Ciudad could not continue. He described the measure as “common sense”, stressing that local authorities must prioritise services that directly benefit residents.

On 27th March 2025, supporters of Peñarol threw plastic bottles, some containing liquid, towards ESPN journalist Ana Inés Martínez while she reported during half-time of the Peñarol–Juventud football match in Las Piedras. None of the objects hit her, and no injuries were reported. Supporters had also directed insults at her earlier from the stands.

Members of the Guardia Republicana—a specialised unit of Uruguay’s National Police— intervened quickly, dispersing the supporters and shielding Martínez with protective gear for several minutes so she could continue her work. Although the incident unfolded during a live broadcast, Martínez did not mention it on air.

Another major concern is the adoption of a new media law in October 2024 that consolidates media ownership, legalises foreign control of outlets, and removes public oversight in frequency allocation. Despite opposition from civil society and warnings from international experts, including UN Special Rapporteurs, the law passed.

In May 2025, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) echoed these concerns, noting Uruguay’s fall from 51st to 59th in its global ranking. RSF pointed to political pressure on journalists investigating sensitive matters, surveillance of journalists by the Ministry of Interior, and regressive legal reforms. Economic deterioration in the media sector, with wage cuts, layoffs, and precariousness of work, further threatens press freedom.

Uruguay opens debate on digital platform regulation with focus on free expression

On 22nd May 2025, Uruguay’s Parliament hosted the country’s first major national debate on regulating the tech giants. The seminar, organised by civil society organisations Datysoc and OBSERVACOM with support from UNESCO, brought together journalists, activists, academics, internet companies, parliamentarians and international organisations.

UNESCO presented its Guidelines for the Governance of Digital Platforms, emphasising a people-centred digital model rather than one driven solely by commercial interests. Datysoc and OBSERVACOM’s report painted a troubling picture: fragmented national laws, a lack of adaptation to the digital era, and users left vulnerable against foreign platforms.

In the final panel, legislators from across the political spectrum agreed on one point: regulating platforms is vital to protect human rights and harness the opportunities of the digital environment.

While still in its initial phase, the process represents an opportunity for Uruguay to establish a coherent regulatory framework consistent with its international human rights commitments.

Association

Outgoing government punishes El Paso’s director for speaking out

On 28th February 2025, the final day of President Luis Lacalle Pou’s administration, Minister of the Interior Nicolás Martinelli imposed a disciplinary sanction on Andrea Tuana, director of the civil society organisation El Paso and staff member at the Police Hospital. The sanction suspended Tuana for six months without pay, citing statements she made during a television interview. In that interview, Tuana warned about the serious impact of drug trafficking on children and adolescents, including reports that minors were allegedly left as “guarantees” at drug-selling points until debts were settled.

Civil society organisations expressed significant concern. El Paso characterised the measure as an act of intimidation aimed at discouraging human rights defenders and warning civil society. The organisation underscored that the State has an obligation to protect, not punish, those who report abuses, and reaffirmed Tuana’s credibility and commitment. The Association of Social Work Professionals of Uruguay (Adasu) also issued a solidarity statement, condemning the sanction as an abuse of power by the outgoing authorities and a direct attack on social organisations.

Peaceful Assembly

“Never Again”: Uruguay’s March of Silence marks 30 years with renewed demands for truth

On 20th May 2025, thousands of people filled streets across the country for the 30th March of Silence, demanding truth and justice for victims of the dictatorship that ruled between 1973 and 1985. The march, held annually, remembers the assassination of Senator Zelmar Michelini, Congressman Héctor Gutiérrez Ruiz and activists Rosario Barredo and William Whitelaw in Buenos Aires in 1976 during Operation Condor, a coordinated operation of repression by South American military regimes.

In Montevideo, protesters marched silently from the Memorial to the Disappeared under the banner: “30 times Never Again: comply. Where are they?” Similar marches took place in towns across the country.

The families of the disappeared continue to demand state action. They want the armed forces compelled to disclose long-hidden files that could reveal where bodies are buried. President Yamandú Orsi has met with relatives, but progress has been slow. “The main obstacle is the pact of silence maintained by the military and civilians responsible for the crimes. This mafia code keeps the truth hidden,” said Graciela Montes de Oca, a member of Mothers and Relatives of Detained and Disappeared Uruguayans.

Global Marijuana March in Montevideo

On 23rd May 2025, the Global Marijuana March took place in Montevideo, organised by seven social organisations from Uruguay’s cannabis movement. The rally began in Plaza Cagancha and ended outside the Executive Tower, where organisers read a proclamation calling for improved access, stronger regulation, and recognition of the rights of cannabis users, growers and those connected to the sector.

Held under the slogan “Against prohibitionism, we continue marching”, the demonstration highlighted demands for fairer and more inclusive public policies, while denouncing practices that criminalise people involved with cannabis.

Protesters march to Montevideo demanding cancellation of controversial Neptuno water project

On 25th June 2025, hundreds of protesters arrived in Montevideo after a five-day march from Arazatí to demand the annulment of the controversial Neptuno project, a planned water treatment plant in San José, about 92 km from the capital.

The project, signed in January with a private consortium, would build a treatment facility at Arazatí. Government officials argue it is necessary to secure water supplies for Montevideo. Activists counter that the project is unconstitutional and unsafe, warning it could expose Uruguay to cross-border contamination and divert resources from repairing the country’s ageing, leaky pipes.

Union leaders from the state water company also joined the protest, warning that Neptuno would deepen the utility’s financial problems. The government has suspended implementation while renegotiating with the private consortium awarded the contract in January.

Thousands demand end to the genocide in Gaza

On 17th June 2025, thousands gathered peacefully in Montevideo demanding an end to Israel’s military operations in Gaza, with protesters accusing Israel of genocide and urging Uruguay’s government to take a stronger position.

Banners reading “It's not war, it's genocide” stretched beneath the statue of national hero José Artigas as protesters demanded accountability for crimes against humanity. “This is not collateral damage, it is planned extermination”, protesters chanted as Palestinian flags waved across the Independence Square. Speakers cited UN figures that more than 50,000 Palestinians have been killed—18,000 of them children—amid systematic bombings, starvation tactics and the destruction of hospitals and schools.

Uruguay’s political parties remain sharply divided. Leftist factions of the governing coalition describe Israel’s actions as genocide and echo UN appeals for humanitarian corridors. Conservative parties, including the National and Colorado, defend Israel’s right to respond to Hamas attacks, accusing the left of demonising the Jewish state.