About Us
The Story Behind
FREE MEDIA FOUNDATION
When truth is silenced, democracy dies — we choose to keep it alive.
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Free Media Foundation was created by Leonardo Trechi, a communication and marketing specialist with more than 25 years of experience, who identified a deep and urgent need: to support Venezuela’s media ecosystem and human rights NGOs that have been systematically silenced, persecuted, and deprived of resources for more than two decades.
For over 25 years, independent media outlets in Venezuela have faced relentless persecution. Journalists and press workers have been harassed, jailed, or exiled. Outlets have been shut down, bought, or forced to change their editorial lines. Beyond attacking media directly, authoritarianism has also pressured and silenced advertisers—the primary source of funding for free press—making survival nearly impossible. Today, Venezuela finds itself in a state of total darkness: with censored news, dismantled media structures, and an environment where telling the truth has become a crime.
At the same time, Venezuelan human rights organizations—working tirelessly to defend freedom, justice, and dignity—struggle with limited resources. The scarce aid they receive must be dedicated to their core activities: assisting victims, documenting violations, and sustaining fieldwork. This leaves a critical gap: their work, reports, and research rarely gain the visibility they deserve, reducing their real impact. Without strong communication, their efforts remain invisible to international institutions, philanthropic organizations, and the global public that could support them.
Recognizing this, Leonardo Trechi—a recognized leader in political communication and human rights advocacy—understood that one of the greatest barriers to long-term sustainability for both media and NGOs is precisely awareness. Without visibility, their impact remains muted, their voices unheard. With more than 20 years supporting the fight for freedom in Venezuela, Trechi has become one of the country’s most respected figures in political communication and the defense of press freedom.
Free Media Foundation is the response to this reality: a reflection of years of understanding the challenges faced by Venezuelan media and NGOs, and the creation of a platform to amplify their voices. Its mission is clear—empower independent voices, strengthen free press, and give visibility to human rights defenders—so that truth, freedom of expression, and democracy remain alive, even in the darkest times.
We depends on strong, well-led, and well-managed partners
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A Foundation Rooted in Rights and Expression
Free Media Foundation is embedded in the fight for democracy and human rights, with a dedicated focus on freedom of expression and independent media.
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Partners in the Defense of Democracy
Free Media Foundation works alongside a network of partners and organizations specializing in the defense of press freedom, human rights, and democratic values.
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Sustainability as a Shield for Freedom
We define sustainability as the ability of free press and human rights organizations to remain resilient over time. Perceptions of unsustainability emerge when independent media and NGOs lack visibility, resources, or protection, leaving them vulnerable to censorship and authoritarian pressure.
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Together for Democracy and Rights
Free Media Foundation is a collective project built on shared values — for Us, it means ensuring that independent voices, free press, and human rights organizations can continue driving social progress and democratic development.
Strong project team is a key for success!
Arimsay Gonzalez
Councilor
leads human rights projects focused on defending democratic values and protecting vulnerable communities.
The Silencing of Voices Is Venezuela’s Most Urgent Crisis.
In Venezuela, the crisis of censorship and restricted access to information makes every other challenge harder — from health to education and economic survival. For low-income families, the lack of truthful and transparent information deepens inequality and vulnerability. This critical effort holds great promise for creating local and regional solutions that restore truth, strengthen rights, and give communities the tools they need to resist authoritarian control.