How the Nicaraguan dictatorship reinforces its media apparatus with the help of Russia and China

The arrival of a delegation of Russian journalists to Nicaragua on April 19 has once again put at the center of the international debate the close relationship between the dictatorship of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo and the state communication apparatuses of Russia and China. The group was welcomed by Daniel Edmundo Ortega Murillo, son of the ruling dictator couple and a key figure in the country's official propaganda structure

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The delegation is made up of representatives of the Russian state channel RT en Español, including its deputy director Alexánder Luchanínov, as well as journalists, producers and social media managers. During their stay, they have held meetings with local authorities, communication students, Sandinista militants and journalists related to the ruling party. They also carried out activities in cities such as Diriamba, where they were greeted with cultural events and hospitality events organized by institutions linked to

the government.

Far from being a simple protocol or academic visit, the presence of this delegation forms part of a sustained program of media cooperation between Nicaragua and Russia. Under initiatives such as “RT Comparte”, these exchanges seek to share content production methodologies, digital strategies and narrative approaches that are aimed at strengthening information control and the dissemination of messages aligned with

specific political interests.

During one of the activities, producer Kseniia Avetisián explained to students that news can be interpreted in multiple ways depending on the approach and format. Although presented as an exercise in journalistic creativity, analysts consider that this type of activity reflects a conception of journalism where objectivity is subordinated to the construction of narratives, which opens the

door to information manipulation.

Organizations such as Reporters Without Borders have previously warned about this phenomenon. In a report published in 2024, RSF noted that Nicaragua has become a platform for expanding the Kremlin narrative in Latin America, thanks to agreements signed between the Nicaraguan government and Russian state media such as Sputnik and RT. These agreements include content exchange, staff training and collaboration in covering international events

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The origin of this alliance dates back to 2022, when Daniel Edmundo Ortega Murillo signed cooperation agreements with representatives of both Russian media. Since then, its role has been central in articulating a network that connects Nicaraguan state media with international platforms in Russia and, more recently, in China. This strategy combines content production, ideological formation and technological development

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Communication specialists point out that the current model is the result of an evolution that began in 2007, when the government implemented a centralized communication strategy. Over time, this structure was consolidated around the figure of Rosario Murillo, who not only acts as an official spokesperson, but also as the main filter for the information that circulates in the

country.

Control has been progressively extended through the exclusion of independent media, the acquisition or pressure on media companies and the creation of a state network that dominates most radio frequencies. Despite this dominance, the system faced a significant challenge in 2018, when social protests and the massive use of social networks overwhelmed the official narrative

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From that moment on, the regime intensified its efforts to modernize its communication apparatus. This included the training of politically oriented young communicators, the expansion of digital platforms and the signing of international agreements. In this context, Russia has provided content and training, while China has contributed technology and infrastructure

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China's role has been especially strengthened in recent years, with media and technological cooperation agreements that include the participation of companies and state agencies. These collaborations range from the production of content to the development of systems that facilitate the management and distribution

of information.

At the same time, the country has experienced a marked decline in terms of press freedom. Various organizations document the closure of dozens of media outlets and the exile of hundreds of journalists. This situation has generated what some describe as an “information desert” in large areas of the national territory.

Despite these restrictions, the population has increasingly turned to alternative channels, such as social networks and digital media operated from abroad, to access information. Recent studies indicate that these spaces maintain high levels of credibility among citizens

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