Study finds Nicaraguans are practicing self-censorship

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Since President Daniel Ortega’s return to power in 2007, the number of Nicaraguans who prefer not to speak openly about political topics has grown dramatically, according to a study conducted by CID Gallup that was reported in El Nuevo Diario.

The Knight Center for Journalism ‘Journalism in the Americas’ blog reports that when the public opinion survey asked whether citizens feel safe and respected if they make political commentaries in public places, 68% said no.

At the same time, 77% of respondents said they are ‘little or not at all’ interested in Nicaraguan politics.

The same blog reported earlier this year that freedom of the press in Nicaragua hit a low, saying that ‘according to the 2007-2008 report of the nonprofit Communications Media Observatory (OMC), the government of Daniel Ortega has limited several freedoms and discriminated in furnishing information to journalists.

‘According to the report, 2008 was the worst year for freedom of expression in the country.’

-- Deborah Bonello in Mexico City