Mexico, a lethal country for journalism

MEXICO CITY (EL UNIVERSAL).— In the six-year term of Felipe Calderon to57 journalists were murdered; in 2006, 10 journalists lost their lives; in 2007, 3; 2008, 10; 2009, 9; 2010, 10; 2011, 8, and at the end of the six-year term, 7 journalists died, according to data collected from Article 19.

Furthermore, in the current administration of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador There are 48 communicators who have lost their lives due to their journalistic work.

From 2000 to 2023 alone, 163 communicators were murdered in connection with their informative work, which are 151 men and 12 women.

According to the documentation of international organizations on freedom of expression, outside of Israel and the occupied territories of Palestine, with the murders recorded, “Mexico would continue to be placed as one of the most lethal countries to practice journalism in the year 2023,” he said. the organization.

Last year, 561 attacks against the press were recorded, that is, in Mexico a journalist or media outlet is attacked every 16 hours based on their work.

This compilation includes the disappearance of Juan Carlos Hinojosa, whose whereabouts are unknown until now, and the murders of 5 journalists who are:

Marco Aurelio Ramirez Hernandez, of Puebla; Luis Martin Sanchez Iñiguez, Nayarit; Nelson Matus Rock, Warrior; Jesus Gutierrez Vergara, Sonora, and Ismael Villagomez Tapia, Chihuahua.

Article 19 documented that in 2023 the Mexican State continued to be the main aggressor of the press, with 287 cases of documented violence, which represents 51.16% of the total, individuals continue with 95 cases which is equivalent to 16.93%, organized crime groups, with 57 cases, which represents 10.16% and 25 cases of attacks caused by political parties with 4.46%.

In turn, on 97 occasions, that is, 17.29% Article 19 identified an attack, but did not have sufficient elements to classify the aggressor.

Another item that the organization added is attacks by type of coverage, in first place are journalists who cover corruption and politics with 299 documented cases with 53.30%, the source of security and justice continues with 132 cases, 23.53%; protest and social movements, 52 cases: human rights, 51; private sector, 2; land and territory, with 6 attacks.

Intimidation, harassment, threats and legitimate use of public power are also analyzed.