The International Association of Broadcasting (IAB) expresses its deep concern over the increase in aggressions and attacks against journalists and press crews in Chile, acts that seriously affect the exercise of Freedom of Expression and the public’s right to receive information.

IAB strongly condemns the recent attacks suffered by news crews from Canal 13 and BioBioChile while carrying out journalistic coverage, including physical aggressions and the throwing of a Molotov cocktail against members of the press.

As established in Principle 9 of the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, intimidation, threats or violence against social communicators, as well as attacks against media outlets, constitute serious violations of fundamental rights and severely restrict Freedom of Expression. States also have the duty to prevent, investigate and punish such acts.

IAB urges the Chilean authorities to investigate these incidents swiftly and to guarantee adequate safety conditions for the exercise of journalistic activity throughout the country.

IAB expresses its solidarity with the affected journalists and news crews, with the National Association of Television of Chile (ANATEL), and with all communications professionals who continue carrying out their informative work in defense of society’s right to be informed.

Montevideo, May 28, 2026