• Live
    • Audio Only
  • google plus
  • facebook
  • twitter
News > Mexico

Mexico Celebrates Press Freedom Day Amid Journalists' Tragedy

  • Candles lit in memory of the journalists murdered in Mexico.

    Candles lit in memory of the journalists murdered in Mexico. | Photo: Twitter/ @arielmou

Published 3 May 2022
Opinion

"The risk is very high because you can be at the hands of two risk generators: the police authorities and organized crime," said Jose Luis Camarillo, a crime reporter.

On World Press Freedom Day, celebrated on May 3, Mexicans remember eight journalists who have been murdered so far this year.

RELATED:

Mexico Denounces Texas Governor's Extortion

Tijuana reporters denounced that their work environment has become more tense and hostile since the murders in January of their colleagues Margarito Martinez and Lourdes Maldonado.

"The risk is very high because you can be at the hands of two risk generators: the police authorities and organized crime. And even citizens themselves," said Jose Luis Camarillo, a crime reporter who has been a victim of various assaults throughout his 40-year career.

In Mexico, the first stage of violence against journalists occurred when there was widespread insecurity in the 1980s and 1990s. Later, in the current wave of violence, investigative journalists have been harassed by local authorities.

In this context, the murder of Lourdes Maldonado shocked the country but did not surprise it. During a press conference with President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO) held in 2019, she said she feared for her life as a result of a conflict she had with Jaime Bonilla, the then governor of Baja California.

“It is complicated because we have authorities that harass us. That has created a climate of animosity about what we raise through our stories," reporter Octavio Fabela said.

"Since the murders of Margarito and Lourdes... it seems that anyone has the right to kill you just for disagreeing with you."

Comment
0
Comments
Post with no comments.