Journalists Denounce Sinaloa State 'Gag Law' on Crime Scene Reporting BBC News
go to original August 2, 2014

A police officer stands guard outside a newspaper office in the Mexican resort city of Mazatlan following a spate of attacks on media outlets in the western state of Sinaloa. (EFE)

Journalists in Mexico have criticized a new law that restricts crime reporting in north-eastern Sinaloa state.

The legislation bans journalists from taking pictures and recording video or audio at a crime scene.

Journalists will have to rely on official information approved by the Prosecutor's Office to report on crime.

Media organizations, journalist unions and campaign groups have denounced the law as a serious threat to press freedom in Mexico.

..."The media will have access to information on the crime investigations through the press releases prepared by the official public information department," establishes the law.

The legislation is due to come into effect on 15 October, but journalists - who refer to it as a "gag law" - say they will try to stop it being enforced.

Read the rest at BBC News

We invite you to add your charity or supporting organizations' news stories and coming events to PVAngels so we can share them with the world. Do it now!