Special report: When spyware turns phones into weapons
How zero-click surveillance threatens reporters, sources, and global press freedom By Fred Guterl Published October 13, 2022 Aida Alami has always been wary of surveillance. As a journalist from Morocco, a state with a track record of intercepting phone calls and messages of political rivals, activists, and journalists, she habitually took precautions to protect her…
For Mexican journalists, President López Obrador’s pledge to curb spyware rings hollow
“Practically nothing.” RíoDoce magazine editor Andrés Villarreal spoke with a sigh and a hint of resignation as he described what came of Mexico’s investigation into the attempted hacking of his cell phone. “The federal authorities never contacted me personally. They told us informally that it wasn’t them, but that’s it.” Over five years have passed…
At least 2 Mexican journalists targeted by Pegasus spyware since López Obrador took office
Mexico City, October 3, 2022 – In response to a joint report published Sunday that found Pegasus spyware infected the devices of two Mexican journalists and a human rights defender between 2019 and 2021, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “This new report definitively shows that Mexico’s President Andrés Manuel López Obrador…
Mexican journalist Roberto Flores missing in Comitán
Mexico City, September 29, 2022 – Mexican authorities must immediately undertake a credible and exhaustive investigation into the disappearance of journalist Roberto Flores, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. Flores, the founder and editor of Chiapas Denuncia YA, a Facebook page with 66,000 followers that publishes citizens’ reports about crime, security, and alleged government…
Gunmen threaten Mexican reporter Rodrigo Bustillos in Tehuacán
Mexico City, September 16, 2022—Mexican authorities must immediately and properly investigate threats against journalist Rodrigo Bustillos and guarantee his safety, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. Bustillos, a veteran reporter based in Tehuacán in the central Mexican state of Puebla, currently works for privately owned news sites Domingo7 Tehuacán and Grupo Entiempo Comunicaciones, which…
In 2022, journalist killings continue unabated in Mexico amid a climate of impunity
At least 13 journalists have been killed in Mexico in the first eight months of 2022, the highest number the Committee to Protect Journalists has ever documented in the country in a single year. In a country characterized by corruption and organized crime, it’s unclear how many were targeted directly because of their work. CPJ…
Mexican journalist Fredid Román shot and killed in Chilpancingo
Mexico City, August 24, 2022 – Mexican authorities must immediately investigate the killing of journalist Fredid Román Román, identify and apprehend those responsible, and determine whether the attack was related to his work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On Monday, August 22, two unidentified attackers on a motorcycle shot and killed Román, founder…
Body of missing Mexican journalist Juan Arjón López found in San Luis Río Colorado
Mexico City, August 18, 2022–Mexican authorities must undertake a swift, credible, and exhaustive investigation into the killing of journalist Juan Arjón López, determine whether his killing was connected to his work, and bring those responsible to justice, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. Arjón, the founder and editor of Facebook-based news outlet A Qué…
Mexican journalist Rubén Haro survives shooting attempt in Ciudad Obregón
Mexico City, July 22, 2022 – Mexican authorities must immediately investigate the recent attempted shooting of journalist Rubén Eduardo Haro Madero and guarantee his safety, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. At about 2 a.m. on Sunday, July 17, unidentified attackers shot at Haro, founder and editor of the Facebook-based news outlet Las Noticias…
Mexican journalist Susana Carreño severely wounded in Puerto Vallarta knife attack
Mexico City, July 6, 2022 – Mexican authorities should immediately and transparently investigate the stabbing of journalist Susana Carreño, determine the motive of the attack, and take appropriate steps to guarantee her safety, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. On July 1, near the coastal resort city of Puerto Vallarta, in the central Mexican…