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…
Sheila Johana García Olivera
Journalists Johana García and Yessenia Mollinedo Falconi were getting into their car in a convenience store parking lot in Cosoleacaque, a town in the eastern state of Veracruz, when an unknown number of assailants approached and shot them at 4 p.m. on May 9, 2022, according to news reports, which cited eyewitnesses. García was recently hired as…
Yessenia Mollinedo Falconi
Journalists Yessenia Mollinedo Falconi and Johana García were getting into their car in a convenience store parking lot in Cosoleacaque, a town in the eastern state of Veracruz, when an unknown number of assailants approached and shot them at 4 p.m. on May 9, 2022, according to news reports, which cited eyewitnesses. Mollinedo, 45, was the founder…
‘I want to be a journalist like Shireen’
“I wanted to reach her, but I just couldn’t,” Shatha Hanaysha — the 29-year-old Palestinian correspondent who was seen in the video of the aftermath of the killing of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh last week — told CPJ, recalling the danger of extending her hand to touch her colleague’s body. “When I was asked,…
People’s Tribunal on the Murder of Journalists to hear the case of Miguel Ángel López Velasco in Mexico City
New York, April 26, 2022 – In an unprecedented effort to achieve justice in the killing of journalists, three leading press freedom groups launched a People’s Tribunal in November 2021 to hold governments accountable. The Tribunal, a form of grassroots justice, relies on investigations and high quality legal analysis involving specific cases in three countries. The next hearing…
Fifth journalist killed covering Russia-Ukraine war
In Ukraine, the number of journalists killed since Russia launched its full-scale assault on the country in February has reached five, with the death of Russian journalist Oksana Baulina, who was tragically killed during a March 23 Russian attack on the capital city of Kyiv. Multiple journalists in Ukraine have gone missing or been detained…
European Parliament speaks out on violence against journalists in Mexico
Brussels, March 10, 2022 — The European Union must strengthen its criticism of the deterioration of press freedom in Mexico and ensure that Mexican authorities guarantee immediate resourcing and funding of their protection program for journalists, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. The European Parliament passed a resolution on Thursday, March 10, that condemns…
Mexican journalist Heber López shot and killed in Oaxaca, suspects arrested
Mexico City, February 12, 2022 – Mexican authorities must thoroughly and transparently investigate the killing of journalist Heber López Vásquez, determine whether he was targeted for his work, and ensure those responsible are brought to justice, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Saturday. In the afternoon of Thursday, February 10, a group of at least…
Roberto Toledo is fourth Mexican journalist killed in less than four weeks
Mexico City, February 2, 2022 – Mexican authorities must immediately and transparently investigate the killing of Roberto Toledo and determine whether he was killed in retaliation for his work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. Toledo, a camera operator and video editor for news website Monitor Michoacán, was shot and killed on January 31,…
Vigils across Mexico: Three journalists killed in two weeks
After the disturbing killings of three Mexican journalists in less than two weeks, journalists in nearly 40 locations around Mexico took to the streets Tuesday night to demand the federal government do more to ensure security for reporters under threat and to end impunity in cases of murdered journalists. The three Mexican journalists killed this…