On February 27, the Court of Appeal of Kenya is set to rule on the constitutionality of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act. This law has increasingly become a flashpoint in the country’s press freedom landscape. The ruling comes as journalist Peter Maseke Mwita faces up to 10 years in prison over a WhatsApp message he says was sent by mistake while seeking comment for a crime-related story. His case illustrates how cybercrime legislation, originally framed as a tool to combat digital harm, is now being used in ways that critics argue suppress legitimate journalism. For Kenya’s media community, this ruling may determine whether digital reporting remains viable without fear of criminal prosecution. From digital regulation to criminal prosecution The 2018 Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act was introduced to address online fraud, cyber harassment, identity theft, and national security threats. However, several of its provisions have raised concern among press

Ecuador is experiencing a deepening crisis that now strikes at the heart of its civic life. The twin pressures of organized crime-linked violence tied to narcotrafficking and institutional actions that curb press access and coverage are eroding press freedom across the country. Journalists and media outlets are confronting threats ranging from physical violence and death threats to legal harassment and censorship. This analysis examines how these forces are converging to restrict independent reporting, stifle accountability, and weaken democratic norms in Ecuador. Narcotrafficking violence as a catalyst for press suppression Since 2022, Ecuador has witnessed a dramatic surge in criminal violence driven by narcotrafficking networks competing for control of transit routes and illicit economies. This has contributed to one of the highest homicide rates seen in the country’s recent history. Such instability has had spillover effects on journalists covering corruption, security, and local governance. Threats from armed non-state actors and criminal

Costa Rica has long been recognized as a Central American outlier, a stable democracy with strong civil liberties, independent institutions, and a free press. Yet, as the 2026 national elections unfold, these longstanding assumptions are increasingly under strain. Political polarization, tensions between government and media, and a shifting media environment are reshaping the space for independent journalism, with serious implications for democratic accountability. Recent electoral developments, including the election of populist candidate Laura Fernández, signal a potential turning point with consequences for press freedom and broader civic space. The state of press freedom before the election Under President Rodrigo Chaves, who took office in 2022, Costa Rica’s position in the global Reporters Without Borders Press Freedom Index declined sharply, from 8th in the world in 2022 to 36th in 2025. Reflecting a sustained downward trend over several years. International press freedom organizations and observers have documented increasing hostility between the