Mexico / Americas

  
A journalist is seen in Mexico City on April 8, 2020. Mexican journalists recently told CPJ that a lack of equipment and government obstruction are among their bigget concerns while covering the COVID-19 pandemic. (AFP/Pedro Pardo)

In Mexico, reporters covering COVID-19 face equipment shortages and government obstruction

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic struck Mexico, the country was already one of the most dangerous in the world for journalists, according to CPJ research.

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Members of the vigilante group Frente Unido de Policías Comunitarias de Guerrero are seen in Guerrero state, Mexico, on May 29, 2019. The group recently made threats against Proceso reporter Ezequiel Flores. (AP/Rebecca Blackwell)

Mexican militia group threatens Proceso reporter Ezequiel Flores

Mexico City, April 16, 2020 — Mexican authorities must ensure the safety of reporter Ezequiel Flores and investigate the threats made against him, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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Journalists demonstrate against the killing of their colleague Maria Helena Ferral at Lerdo square in Xalapa, Veracruz state, Mexico on April 1, 2020. (AFP/Hector Quintanar)

Mexican reporter Maria Elena Ferral shot and killed in Veracruz

Mexico City, April 3, 2020 — Mexican authorities should conduct a swift and credible investigation into the killing of reporter Maria Elena Ferral, determine whether the attack was related to her work, and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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Javier Valdez Cárdenas, pictured at a book launch in November 2016. The Mexican journalist was killed in Sinaloa state May 15, 2017. (AFP/Hector Guerrero)

CPJ welcomes conviction in murder of Mexican journalist Javier Valdez

Culiacán, February 28, 2020 – The Committee to Protect Journalists today welcomed the conviction of one of the murderers of Mexican journalist Javier Valdez Cárdenas, and urged authorities to bring all the perpetrators, including the mastermind, to justice.

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Graffiti shows the likeness of murdered photojournalist Rubén Espinosa and the eyes and names of the other four victims, on the wall of Mexico City attorney general's headquarters in Mexico City, in July 2016. Deadly violence against journalists is rare in the capital, but reporters covering organized crime in the city say threats are on the rise. (AP/Marco Ugarte)

Threats draw near, damaging Mexico City’s reputation as safe haven for reporters

Emir Olivares was almost too stunned to speak when, on December 6, he found two men in the bedroom of his apartment in Mexico City.

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A state police truck patrols in Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz state, Mexico, on August 30, 2019. Mexican police attacked reporters during a protest in Ciudad Isla, Veracruz, on February 11, 2020. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Mexican police attack reporters during protest in Veracruz

Mexico City, February 14, 2020 – Mexican authorities must immediately and transparently investigate attacks by police on reporters covering a protest in Ciudad Isla, Veracruz state, on February 11, and guarantee the journalists’ safety, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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Journalist Sergio Aguayo Quezada is seen in Mexico City on April 5, 2013. Aguayo was recently fined 10 million pesos in a moral damages suit. (AP/Alexandre Meneghini)

Mexican journalist Sergio Aguayo Quezada fined 10 million pesos over corruption report

Mexico City, January 29, 2020 — Mexican authorities should drop the charges against journalist Sergio Aguayo Quezada and reform the country’s outdated libel laws, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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A checkpoint controlled by the community police in Cheran, Michoacán state, in December 2019. The body of journalist who was reported missing in the Mexican state was found in January. (AFP/Pedro Pardo)

Missing radio anchor found dead in Mexico’s Michoacán state

Mexico City, January 13, 2020—The Committee to Protect Journalists today urged Mexican authorities to open a credible and transparent investigation into the death of reporter Fidel Ávila Góme, whose body was found on January 7 near the state borders of Michoacán and Guerrero.

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Flowers cover the coffin of Mexican journalist Jorge Celestino Ruiz Vazquez, who was killed in Veracruz in August. Ruiz is one of at least five journalists murdered in retaliation for their work in Mexico in 2019. (Reuters/Oscar Martinez)

Number of journalists killed falls sharply as reprisal murders hit record low

As wars subsided and a record low number of journalists were murdered in reprisal for reporting, the total number of journalists killed because of their work fell sharply in 2019. A CPJ special report by Elana Beiser

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Flowers and crosses bear the names of journalists and human rights defenders murdered in the first three months since President Andrés Manuel López Obrador took office, in Mexico City in February 2019. At least two of the journalists murdered for their work in 2019 were enrolled in a safety protection mechanism. (AP/Rebecca Blackwell)

When it comes to protecting journalists, Mexico’s safety mechanism comes up short

Gildo Garza sighs when he speaks of the institution that is supposed to protect him. “I feel disappointed, depressed, desperate, and alone,” he said. “I no longer have any hope in a system that was supposed to help me build up a new life or get my old life back.”

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