Costa Rica is experiencing a concerning decline in press freedom, coinciding with a shift in how younger generations consume news. A recent report highlights that 17-year-olds, in particular, are increasingly reliant on fragmented information sources. This generation lacks the critical skills necessary to differentiate between legitimate journalism and deliberate disinformation. The trend raises fears about the future of informed civic engagement within the country. Experts suggest this vulnerability stems from a lack of media literacy education and the proliferation of unverified content online. The situation poses a challenge to maintaining a well-informed populace and safeguarding democratic processes. This decline in press freedom and media literacy creates a fertile ground for misinformation to take root and spread.