The government, however, restricts media freedom through harassment, censorship, arbitrary application of libel laws, and use of national security justifications.
It also employs vandalism, the seizure of privately owned broadcast equipment, and criminal defamation charges against media outlet owners or program hosts to limit freedom and diversity of the press.
[2] The Communications Research Centre of Nicaragua (CINCO) reported that control over television media by the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) and President Ortega strengthened throughout 2012.
National television was increasingly either controlled by FSLN supporters or directly owned and administered by President Ortega's family members.
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.