Noroeste Journalist Honored for Reporting Vows to Never be Silenced Agence France-Presse
go to original October 27, 2017

Marcos Vizcarra, a journalist for the Mexican publication Noroeste, receives the the 2017 Peter Mackler Award from Mackler's daughters, Camille (R) and Lauren (L), at the National Press Club in Washington, DC (AFP)

A Mexican journalist recognized for his undaunted reporting vowed to never be silenced Thursday despite living in one of the world's most dangerous countries for reporters. Marcos Vizcarra, who lives and works in Mexico's violent northwestern state of Sinaloa, accepted the Peter Mackler Award for Courageous and Ethical Journalism for his coverage for the newspaper Noroeste on corruption, violence and human rights abuses.

"I believe that this award gives me a lot of responsibility," the 29-year-old told a ceremony at the National Press Club in Washington, speaking of the prize co-sponsored by Reporters Without Borders and Agence France-Presse.

"We will not be quieted."

Vizcarra paid homage to the 11 journalists killed in Mexico this year and dozens more who died in recent years trying to report in the face of rampant corruption and violence. "The 11 deaths this year proves that journalism is a high-risk job," he said. "It is a profession of the brave, of people who love peace."

Vizcarra has focused his research and writing on the enforced disappearances of Mexican civilians, including the government's failure to address the problem in a meaningful way. He said it is challenging to continue objective reporting in an environment where journalists can face daily threats.

"The government and the criminals have tried to pay us off," he said.

But he added that "there are also those who are doing responsible journalism" despite the challenges.

"We do it because it's necessary. Because doing better journalism means having a better society."

The state where he lives is the scene of a major power struggle for leadership of the Sinaloa cartel, following last year's capture of its leader Joaquin "Chapo" Guzman. Vizcarra has investigated cases of alleged torture committed by state officials, collusion with drug cartels and the disappearances of civilians.

Read the rest at Gulf Times

Related: Colombian, Mexican and Salvadoran Journalists and Media Outlets Among Nominees for RSF-TV5 Press Freedom Prize (Journalism in the Americas)

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!