Editing Telecommunications in Nicaragua (section)

===Internet censorship and surveillance===

There are no government restrictions on access to the Internet or Internet [[chat rooms]]; however, several NGOs claim the government monitors their [[e-mail]]. Individuals and groups engage in the expression of views via the Internet, including by e-mail and [[social media]].<ref name=USDOS-CRHRP-Nicaragua-2012/>

The constitution provides for [[freedom of speech]] and [[Freedom of the press|press]], but the government used administrative, judicial, and financial means to limit the exercise of these rights. Although the law provides that the [[Freedom of information|right to information]] cannot be subjected to [[censorship]], it also establishes retroactive liability, including criminal penalties for [[libel|libel and slander]].<ref name=USDOS-CRHRP-Nicaragua-2012/>

During the November 2012 municipal elections, a popular Web site that allowed voters to register complaints or allegations of [[election fraud]] was apparently [[Hacker (computer security)|hacked]] on several occasions and forced to shut for significant portions of the day. Certain NGOs claimed the Web site was tampered with to prevent dissemination of voter complaints. During 2012 there were several reported cases of threats and violence against the press. On December 11, the spokesman of the Supreme Court of Justice publicly accused the online newsweekly Confidential of being financed by narcotics trafficking organizations, an allegation rights groups said was politically motivated.<ref name=USDOS-CRHRP-Nicaragua-2012>[https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/humanrightsreport/index.htm?year=2012&dlid=204465 "Nicaragua"], ''Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2012'', Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, U.S. Department of State, 21 March 2013. Retrieved 13 January 2014.</ref>