Costa Rica’s Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice, commonly known as the Sala IV, will receive the 2026 Chapultepec Grand Prize, one of the leading distinctions awarded by the Inter American Press Association (IAPA) for contributions to freedom of expression and freedom of the press.
The IAPA announced the recognition on August 18, 2026, highlighting a series of judicial decisions that have strengthened freedom of expression, press freedom and citizens’ right to access diverse and independent information.
A Prize Dedicated to Freedom of Expression
The Chapultepec Grand Prize recognizes individuals and institutions that have made significant contributions to defending the principles established in the Chapultepec Declaration, a document outlining fundamental principles for freedom of expression and freedom of the press in the Americas.
In the case of the Constitutional Chamber, the IAPA particularly highlighted its case law concerning journalism, access to information and media pluralism.
According to the organization, the court’s decisions have helped establish safeguards allowing journalists and media organizations to carry out their work without undue restrictions.
Decisions Considered in the Recognition
Among the elements highlighted by the IAPA were rulings in which the Constitutional Chamber protected journalists from harassment and restrictions during press conferences.
Another particularly significant decision concerned the auction of radio and television frequencies.
In 2026, the Constitutional Chamber annulled the frequency auction process after determining that the mechanism could affect media pluralism and the public interest. The court’s official information identifies the case as file 25-031501-0007-CO and judgment 2026-7626.
The ruling also ordered the Telecommunications Superintendency (SUTEL) and the State to pay costs, damages and losses.
Why Media Pluralism Matters
Media pluralism refers to the existence of different media outlets, opinions and sources of information within a society.
For the IAPA, this principle is essential to ensuring that citizens can access different perspectives and form their own opinions.
In its announcement, the organization emphasized that the Constitutional Chamber has developed case law protecting the free flow of information and preventing mechanisms that could encourage media concentration or restrict the diversity of voices.
Recent Precedents Protecting the Press
The recognition follows several significant Constitutional Chamber rulings.
In 2025, for example, the court ruled in favor of petitions concerning the withdrawal of government advertising from the television program El Chinamo. The IAPA described the decision as an important precedent against indirect censorship, establishing that government advertising should not be used to influence journalistic content or punish critical opinions.
The IAPA also highlighted the 2026 decision to annul the radio and television frequency auction as another important step toward protecting media pluralism.
Recognition Amid a Challenging Regional Context
The distinction comes at a time when press freedom faces numerous challenges across Latin America.
In its 2026 Chapultepec Index of Freedom of Expression and Freedom of the Press, the IAPA reported a general deterioration in the environment for journalism across the Americas, linked to factors including political pressure, violence, judicial harassment and restrictions on access to information.
In this context, the independence of courts and their ability to protect fundamental rights become particularly important.
IAPA President Pierre Manigault described the Constitutional Chamber’s decisions as an example of the role an independent judiciary can play in protecting press freedom and the public’s right to be informed.
The Award Will Be Presented in Bogotá
The official ceremony for the 2026 Chapultepec Grand Prize will take place during the 82nd General Assembly of the Inter American Press Association, scheduled for October 22–25, 2026, in Bogotá, Colombia.
The Constitutional Chamber joins a list of institutions and individuals that have previously received the award, including the Inter American Court of Human Rights, the Committee to Protect Journalists, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, Martin Baron and Mario Vargas Llosa.
The Role of the Constitutional Chamber
The Constitutional Chamber is part of Costa Rica’s Supreme Court of Justice and is responsible for exercising constitutional jurisdiction.
According to the Judicial Branch, its purpose is to guarantee the supremacy of constitutional values, principles and rules, as well as protect the fundamental rights and freedoms recognized by the Constitution and by international human rights instruments in force in the country.
Through its decisions, the court can intervene in matters involving fundamental rights, freedom of expression, access to information and other constitutional guarantees.
Its international recognition by the IAPA now puts renewed attention on this role and on the ability of judicial institutions to protect public freedoms.
A Recognition of Institutional Safeguards
Beyond the award itself, the distinction places renewed focus on the importance of institutions capable of acting as checks and balances and protecting fundamental rights.
For the IAPA, the Constitutional Chamber’s decisions provide an important reference in matters of freedom of expression and media pluralism. The presentation of the Chapultepec Grand Prize in October will formally recognize the role of Costa Rica’s constitutional justice system in this area.
Official and Reference Sources
The main information about the award comes from the Inter American Press Association (IAPA), which officially announced the 2026 Chapultepec Grand Prize.
Information about the Constitutional Chamber’s decisions and institutional role was cross-checked with official publications from the Judicial Branch of Costa Rica and the Constitutional Chamber itself.
