Journalism in Mexico: 2015 Most Dangerous Year for Reporters Since 2009 Janel Saldana - Latin Times
go to original April 27, 2016

According to Article 19, an international human rights group defending freedom of expression, there has been a sharp rise in attacks on journalists in recent years. (teleSUR English)

Freedom of speech has always been a delicate subject to talk about in some countries. In Mexico, journalists manifest their struggle to be heard and to find safe ways to tell the truth on a daily basis, and that often leads to verbal and physical attacks, and even death. According to Article 19, 2015 has been the most violent year for the press in Mexico since 2009. 397 cases of aggression against the media were filed, which constitute a 21.8% growth from last year.

In August last year, photojournalist Ruben Espinosa was found dead along with four other women in an apartment located in his hometown in the state of Veracruz. In February, another Veracruz journalist, Anabel Flores, was violently dragged from her home by a group of armed men, tortured and killed. Her body was found on a highway in Puebla. No one has been arrested or charged for their murders.

...CNN reports that in the past seven years, public servers committed 46.9% of the attacks, which proves that these aggressions have nothing to do with organized crime, but the State itself. The Governor of Veracruz, Javier Duarte Ochoa, has been publicly accused of allegedly killing Espinosa, even though the allegations have no verifiable witness or physical proof behind them, suspicion has grown after the number of deceased journalist has increase since his term began in 2010.

Mexico City and Veracruz, which has been named “The State Without Law” by Proceso magazine, head the list with 69 cases files. Guerrero and Puebla follow on third and fourth places with 56 and 38 cases, respectively.

Read the rest at Latin Times

Related: Mexican Journalist Shot and Killed Outside His Home (Digital Journal)

Related: Times of Violence and Resistance for Latin American Journalists (Inter Press Service)

Related: Global Press Freedom at 12-Year Low, Watchdog Says (Digital Journal)

Related: Violence Against Women Journalists Threatens Media Freedom (Inter Press Service)

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