The Inter American Press Society (SIP) issued a statement expressing profound concern over new guidelines from the Joint Command of the Armed Forces of Ecuador that seem to impose a new system of control and prior censorship on journalists. These guidelines require the evaluation and accreditation of journalists based on their editorial lines, historical coverage, or positions, significantly impacting media access to public information. The SIP argues that such rules undermine the principles of freedom of expression and the right to information.

Human Rights Watch also condemned these guidelines, highlighting them as an 'attack on freedom of expression' by the Ecuadorian Armed Forces. Recent reports from local media, including Ecuavisa, indicated that the head of the Joint Command, Henry Delgado, had instructed military commanders to assess journalists before allowing them to cover military events. This directive raises significant concerns about state-sanctioned censorship, effectively compromising journalistic independence and the democratic principle of free press in Ecuador.

The implications of these new regulations are profound, as they not only threaten the freedom of journalists but also negatively affect the public's right to information. The SIP's alarm reflects a growing anxiety among press organizations about the increasing restrictions on the press in various countries, and highlights the critical importance of safeguarding media freedom against governmental interference. The situation in Ecuador calls for close international scrutiny to ensure that these guidelines do not inhibit journalistic integrity and access to public information.