Nicaragua
Freedom at a Glance
Global Freedom
16 / 100
Not Free
Internet Freedom
42 / 100
Partly Free
The 2006 election of Sandinista leader Daniel Ortega began a period of democratic deterioration in Nicaragua marked by the consolidation of all branches of government under his party’s control, the limitation of fundamental freedoms, and unchecked corruption in government.
Research & Recommendations
Nicaragua
Not Free
16
100
| PR Political Rights | 4 40 |
| CL Civil Liberties | 12 60 |
Last Year's Score & Status
19
100
Not Free
Global freedom statuses are calculated on a weighted scale.
See the methodology.
Overview
The 2006 election of Sandinista leader Daniel Ortega began a period of democratic deterioration marked by the consolidation of all branches of government under his party’s control, the limitation of fundamental freedoms, and unchecked corruption in government. In 2018, state forces, with the aid of informally allied armed groups, responded to a mass antigovernment movement with violence and repression. The rule of law collapsed as the government moved to put down the movement, with rights monitors reporting killings, extrajudicial detentions, disappearances, and torture. Since then, Ortega’s regime has consolidated its power by engaging in surveillance, curtailing press freedoms, arresting political opponents, and sending opposing voices into exile.
Freedom in the World 2024 Policy Recommendations
Provide steady support and flexible funding to those on the front lines of the struggle against tyranny.
Democratic governments and donors must increase and sustain support for those working to defend and promote fundamental freedoms around the world. Failure to do so emboldens autocrats and can result in the loss of hard-won progress.
Uphold the rights of people living in disputed territories.
The events of the past year in places such as Nagorno-Karabakh and the Gaza Strip provided stark evidence that populations without self-determination are at greater risk of extreme human rights abuses or atrocities.
Protect free and fair elections in 2024.
At least 40 countries are holding national-level elections in 2024, and many more will conduct other types of balloting. Free and fair elections are a cornerstone of any democracy, and independent and transparent electoral processes are necessary to foster genuine competition and public trust.
Nicaragua
Partly Free
42
100
| A Obstacles to Access | 11 25 |
| B Limits on Content | 16 35 |
| C Violations of User Rights | 15 40 |
Last Year's Score & Status
45
100
Partly Free
Scores are based on a scale of 0 (least free) to 100 (most free).
See the research methodology and report acknowledgements.
Overview
Internet freedom continued to decline in Nicaragua amid a broader crackdown on dissent that has been ongoing since the country’s 2018 antigovernment protests. During the coverage period, the government continued to use the 2020 Special Cybercrimes Law to arrest and imprison dissidents for their critical online speech, and put in place new provisions that have been used to strip Nicaraguan citizenship from those the authorities deem “traitors to the homeland.” Opposition figures, dissenting voices, and independent journalists have been increasingly forced to self-censor or opt for anonymity when expressing themselves online. While digital media remains one of the few spaces for independent journalism in Nicaragua, nearly all independent online outlets must operate from exile due to state repression.
Freedom on the Net 2023 Policy Recommendations
Promote freedom of expression and access to information.
Freedom of expression online is increasingly under attack as governments continue to restrict connectivity and block social media platforms and websites that host political, social, and religious speech. Protecting freedom of expression will require strong legal and regulatory safeguards.
Defend information integrity in the age of AI.
Even before the new wave of generative artificial intelligence (AI) products, AI was a key factor in the crisis of information integrity, serving as an intensifier in environments that were already vulnerable to manipulation. However, advancements in generative AI will supercharge the creation and dissemination of false and misleading content.
Combat disproportionate government surveillance.
Governments worldwide have passed increasingly disproportionate surveillance laws, and can access a booming commercial market for surveillance tools, giving them the capacity to flout the rule of law and monitor the private communications of individuals inside and beyond their borders.
News and Updates
Freedom House Perspectives
News Releases & Media Coverage
Country Facts
Basic Facts
Global Freedom Score
16
/ 100
Not Free
Internet Freedom Score
42
/ 100
Partly Free
Population: 6,948,000
Internet Facts
Status
Partly Free
Networks Restricted
No
Social Media Blocked
No
Websites Blocked
No
Pro-government Commentators
Yes
Users Arrested
Yes
Election Facts
Status
Past Election
Date of Election
November 7, 2021
Type of Election
General
Internet Penetration
38.85%
Election Year
2021
Vulnerability Index
36
/ 100
Transnational Repression
Status
Not Tracked