In breakthrough, Mexican media sign crime accord
Major Mexican press organizations agreed today on a code for coverage of organized crime, a step seen as a national breakthrough that could set professional standards well into the future. Though organized crime has been the major story in Mexico for several years, coverage has been haphazard based on time, place, and news organization. The…
Mexican court rules critical documentary can be shown
When a federal judge issued an order last week to suspend screenings of documentary that investigates incompetence in the Mexican judicial system, it looked like the film might be falling victim to the very system it criticizes. The film, “Presumed Guilty” (“Presunto Culpable” in Spanish), exposes flaws in the Mexican judicial system as it charts…
Documenting sexual violence against journalists
The news of the sexual assault against CPJ board member and CBS correspondent Lara Logan hit us hard on Tuesday. At CPJ, we work daily to advocate on behalf of journalists under attack in all kinds of horrific situations around the world. Because of Lara’s untiring work with our Journalist Assistance program, she’s well known…
Attacks on the Press 2010: Americas Analysis
In Latin America, A Return of Censorship By Carlos Lauría As the preeminent political family in the northeastern state of Maranhão for more than 40 years, the Sarneys are used to getting their way in Brazilian civic life. So when the leading national daily O Estado de S. Paulo published allegations in June 2009 that linked José…
Attacks on the Press 2010: Mexico
Top Developments • Amid rampant violence, Calderón backs federalization of anti-press crimes. • More than 30 journalists killed or disappeared since Calderón’s term began. Key Statistic 4: Journalists abducted in Durango by gangsters who demand that TV stations air their propaganda. Organized crime groups exerted fierce pressure on the Mexican press as their control spread…
Broadcast offices attacked in Mexico; engineer killed
New York, February 11, 2011–The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns Wednesday’s violent attack against two media companies in the Mexican city of Torreón, Coahuila state, during which a TV engineer was shot to death and equipment was destroyed and stolen.
Aristegui’s dismissal is troubling and inappropriate
On Friday, opposition legislators in Mexico disrupted a congressional session by raising a banner with an image of President Felipe Calderón and a message that read: “Would you let a drunk drive your car? No, right? So why would you let one drive your country?” Radio MVS’ Carmen Aristegui, one of Mexico’s most popular journalists,…
Armando Rodríguez’s murder: Two years, no justice
Two years have passed since the killing of El Diario journalist José Armando Rodríguez Carreón, known to his friends as “El Choco,” and no legal process has begun to shed light on the crime committed on November 13, 2008. Faced with the reality of impunity, his widow, Blanca Martínez, asserted that her only hope lies…