The Ecuadorian government received international visibility when in 2012 it agreed to grant Wikileaks founder Julian Assange political asylum and host him in Ecuador's London embassy. Ecuador has since been widely praised for standing up to the United States to defend the freedom of the press and freedom of expression.

However, the reality is not consistent with this image Ecuador seeks to project. Journalists inside the country face oppressive laws, huge fines and lawsuits for reporting on government corruption. Digital and physical surveillance of journalists and activists is in fact getting worse.

We will analyze some of the existing leaks that prove such activities. We will also give a first-hand account from someone who had to literally run away from Ecuador for publishing leaked materials proving illegal espionage against journalists and citizens.

Is Ecuador really interested in free speech? We don't think so and we will tell you why.

Pedro Noel, Bethany Horne