In an op-ed in the Spanish newspaper El País, CPJ senior program coordinator for the Americas Carlos Lauría argues the wave of violence that has hit Mexico in the current war between powerful drug cartels has let to widespread self-censorship in Mexican media.
Lauría describes how the situation has become untenable for reporters covering issues related to organized crime, especially in those areas controlled by the cartels. Reporting has simply become a mission impossible in large parts of the country.
The op-ed calls for the Calderon government to prioritize the protection of freedom of expression because violence, fear and self-censorship are undermining a fundamental human right and putting the stability of Mexican democracy at risk.
Please follow this link to read the op-ed in El País. The op-ed is in Spanish.