Mexican officer's murder reinforces impunity

Police in Ciudad Juárez had been probing the November 2008 murder of one of city's best known crime reporters, Armando Rodríguez of the local daily El Diario. Investigators believed Rodriguez had been gunned down by drug traffickers angered by his coverage.

Last week, the police official assigned to investigate the Rodríguez murder was himself slain, according to news reports. The motive was not clear, and no connection to the Rodríguez investigation was immediately established

Nevertheless, the killing sends a clear message about the cost of challenging impunity in this dangerous border city  Until the Mexican government finds a way to stand up to the killers, journalists will continue to censor themselves.