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Journalism and Security in Mexico

Diana Villiers Negroponte

Since 2008, journalists' rights to write and express their opinions had been seriously limited in Mexico. Mexico is now one of the world's most dangerous and complicated places to practice journalism. Read the latest article by Diana Negroponte, a member of the Mexico Institute's Advisory Board.

Journalism and Security in Mexico

Freedom House. By Diana Villiers Negroponte*

In late August, six Mexican journalists and a few colleagues from Freedom House gathered around the table at the Universidad Iberoamericana in Torreón, State of Coahuila, to discuss their freedoms to write and express their opinions. Since 2008, these rights had been seriously limited. The infiltration of organized crime in security and justice institutions, mostly at the local level; the militarization of public security; and the virtual collapse of the justice system are largely to blame for this. Mexico is now one of the world’s most dangerous and complicated places to practice journalism.

The journalists spoke of fear in doing their work as crime reporters. They had received frequent threats from one or another of the competing drug cartels, gangsters, and the authorities. In February 2013, three of their colleagues from the newspaper El Siglo de Torreón had been kidnapped. They were later released unharmed, but all at last month’s gathering were aware that the same could happen to them. Facing this threat, the journalists sought training in security measures and the support of media proprietors.

Read more: Freedom House

*Diana Negroponte is a member of the Mexico Institute's Advisory Board and a Freedom House trustee.

About the Author

Diana Villiers Negroponte

Diana Villiers Negroponte

Global Fellow; Author "Master Negotiator: James A. Baker’s Role at the End of the Cold War"
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Mexico Institute

The Mexico Institute seeks to improve understanding, communication, and cooperation between Mexico and the United States by promoting original research, encouraging public discussion, and proposing policy options for enhancing the bilateral relationship. A binational Advisory Board, chaired by Luis Téllez and Earl Anthony Wayne, oversees the work of the Mexico Institute.   Read more