March 16, 2026
In a statement published on January 16, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) called on Haitian authorities to withdraw a decree recently adopted by the Transitional Presidential Council, deeming it a direct threat to freedom of expression and the public’s right to information. The organization believes the text dangerously expands the criminal scope of defamation and exposes journalists and media outlets to abusive prosecutions.
According to CPJ, the decree breaks with international standards on press freedom by introducing prison sentences of up to three years for content deemed “illicit.” The organization stresses that, in a Haitian context already marked by insecurity and pressure on the media, such a tightening can only worsen self-censorship and weaken accountability journalism.
CPJ also warns against provisions imposing particularly severe penalties for speech considered offensive toward independence heroes, national symbols, or cultural heritage. In its view, these vague formulations open the door to arbitrary interpretations and excessive criminalization of public criticism.
Another major concern highlighted is the requirement for all media—including digital platforms and social networks—to be recognized by CONATEL in coordination with relevant ministries. CPJ sees this as an administrative control mechanism likely to restrict media space, especially as crucial electoral deadlines approach after more than a decade without a presidential election.
Echoing these international criticisms, Fondasyon Je Klere (FJKL) recalls that the decree undermines democratic gains enshrined in Haiti’s 1987 Constitution. The human rights organization calls for its outright withdrawal, arguing that no reform of freedom of expression can take place without public debate or solid guarantees for the press and citizens.
