In Mexico, two men arrested in connection with journalist’s murder
New York, April 11, 2007—Mexican authorities detained two men in connection with last week’s murder of veteran broadcast journalist Amado Ramírez Dillanes in Acapulco. Leonel Bustos Muñoz and Genaro Vásquez Durán were arrested Tuesday in Acapulco, 198 miles (320 kilometers) from Mexico City. According to an official statement, when federal police stopped Bustos and Vásquez…
In Mexico, landmark libel bill awaits Calderón’s signature
New York, March 7, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists today urged Mexican President Felipe Calderón to sign new federal legislation decriminalizing defamation, libel, and slander. Voting 100-0 with one abstention, the Mexican Senate passed a bill on Tuesday that effectively directs all such cases to civil court. The measure, already approved by the lower chamber…
CPJ condemns Cuba’s decision to ban three foreign correspondents
New York, February 23, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the Cuban government’s decision not to renew visas of three Havana-based foreign correspondents. The government’s decision comes at a crucial period in the country’s history, seven months after Fidel Castro’s ill health prompted the Cuban president to temporarily cede power to his brother Raúl. “We…
Attacks on the Press 2006: Mexico
MEXICO Gunmen stormed the offices of the Nuevo Laredo daily El Mañana in February, firing assault rifles, tossing a grenade—and setting the tone for another dangerous year for Mexican journalists. The shocking assault, which seriously injured reporter Jaime Orozco, spurred the federal government to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate crimes against the press. The…
After crime stories, a reporter vanishes in southern Mexico
New York, January 26, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists is concerned about the fate of Mexican reporter Rodolfo Rincón Taracena, who has been missing in the southern Tabasco state since Saturday night. CPJ is investigating whether Rincón’s disappearance is linked to his professional work. Rincón, an investigative crime reporter for the Villahermosa-based daily Tabasco Hoy,…
Journalist accused of criminal defamation released on parole
DECEMBER 19, 2006 Posted: December 20, 2006 Ángel Mario Ksheratto, Cuarto Poder IMPRISONED Ksheratto, columnist for the daily Cuarto Poder, was released on parole in the southern Chiapas state after 41 days in prison, the Mexican press reported. He was detained on November 9 for allegedly violating a condition of bail stemming from a 2003…
Two officials suspected in shooting of U.S. journalist released
New York, December 4, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists renewed its appeal to Mexican federal authorities today to take over the investigation into the killing of U.S. journalist Bradley Roland Will after two local officials suspected in his shooting were freed. Will, 36, an independent documentary filmmaker and reporter for the news Web site Indymedia,…