The media landscape is diverse and offers both national and regional coverage, including privately owned commercial outlets, public media outlets, cultural and religious TV channels and academic outlets. Journalists can exercise their profession without obstruction and benefit from a solid legal framework guaranteeing freedom of expression. However, the deterioration in public debate and pressure from those in power have increased the risk of self-censorship.

The constitutionally established separation of powers is respected, as are oversight and supervisory bodies. There is no dominant party, which preserves the dialogue between the different actors during legislative debates. However, the government of Rodrigo Chaves Robles has taken a confrontational stance toward certain media outlets and journalists critical of his policies, which regularly manifests in the form of verbal attacks. Restrictions on access to public information have also been reported under his administration. 

Costa Rica’s constitution says no one may be harassed or persecuted for expressing their opinions, and that everyone may communicate and publish their thoughts without prior censorship. Costa Rica has also signed the American Convention on Human Rights, of which article 13 says that everyone has the right to freedom of thought and expression and that the right of expression cannot be restricted by any means whatsoever. Internet access is a fundamental right and is free for all uses, without restriction. The Legislative Assembly has passed a framework law on access to public information and for the freedom of journalism. The judiciary, particularly the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice, plays a vital role in protecting the country’s press freedom and the right to public information.

In Costa Rica, press freedom is facing growing economic pressures that undermine the media’s independence. The concentration of media ownership in the hands of a few conglomerates has limited media pluralism. This situation is worsened by troubling government practices. In April 2024, the head of the ruling party’s parliamentary group, Deputy Pilar Cisneros, called for the cancellation of the Legislative Assembly’s subscriptions to several media outlets critical of the government, citing austerity measures as justification. What’s more, an auction-based system may potentially be introduced for allocating radio and television frequencies, which could affect media pluralism by raising entry barriers for small and local media outlets.

Costa Rica is renowned for its media pluralism and its respect for electoral processes, civil liberties and political participation. The population stays informed via conversations with family and friends, social media, television, radio and newspapers. The country is a refuge for persecuted citizens from other countries, including, in recent years, Nicaraguan journalists. However, are warnings that the protection of journalists exiled in Nicaragua may be lacking, and that pressure on the press could lead to self-censorship.

Despite the government’s attempts to vilify critical media, there is no pattern of systematic physical violence against journalists, nor of surveillance or imprisonment. However, there have been reports of intimidation and threats, including verbal abuse against journalists working for academic media outlets. Journalism is protected by the country’s legal framework, and the Constitutional Chamber protects the confidentiality of their sources and recognises the importance of press freedom in a democracy.