Murder, censorship and hostile environments challenge Latin American journalists. They also concern themselves with spotty journalism training, the lack of presence of international colleagues in the region and the need to create new journalistic models in a digital world. Here are some reflections on the profession's challenges and realities today in Latin America.

Despite formal democracy in much of the region, the press in Latin America is often the subject of attacks, including murder, censorship, threats and insults, as well as restrictive press laws. Challenges can come from both governments and extralegal groups.

A new wave of independent, forward-thinking and critical journalism is spreading throughout the continent. Here are some examples of these new voices, ranging from investigative journalism websites to new dailies and business models.

Mexico today is a very dangerous place for journalists and their media. It's more than a matter of the staggering numbers: more than 60 Mexican journalists have been murdered since 2000. Fear creates an atmosphere of terror and self-censorship, or, as Alfredo Corchado so eloquently notes: it's midnight in Mexico.