Prize Winning Author Discusses the Challenges of Investigative Reporting in Ecuador

Janet Hinostroza (Teleamazonas, Ecuador), receives International Press Freedom Award from the Committee to Protect Journalists. She was recently interviewed by the Columbia Journalism Review.

How would you characterize the media in Ecuador right now? Your program is covering some controversial topics, but are there other programs like yours?
My program is the only investigative show currently on the air in Ecuador. But at the same time, I recognize that I cannot air very controversial issues as I did in the past. Because, for example, the government has banned officials from talking to the press, and it’s not allowing access to information. So television today is mostly dedicated to entertainment.

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How do you get your information then, if so many routes are closed to you?
In every state institution, there are people that are not happy. And that’s one of the main sources of information. But they are always anonymous sources. There are some journalists that are taking risks to publish that information relying on those sources. They’re running the risk this time of being sanctioned by this new law enacted in June, the communications law, which is really regressive. Read Article