Proposal raised for making crimes against journalists in Mexico federal offenses

The legislative branch of government has introduced proposals to protect journalists in carrying out their work in Mexico on four counts that coincide with the objectives of the Inter American Press Association (IAPA). This Monday (November 8) members of the Chamber of Deputies belonging to the Special Committee for Following Up Attacks on Journalists agreed with the IAPA on objectives being pursued by that organization to prevent assaults on representatives of the news media. The committee’s chairman, María Yolanda Valencia Vales, said the intent is for legislation to make crimes against journalists to be dealt with under federal jurisdiction, that such crimes not be subject to statutes of limitation, that penalties be stiffened for those attacking news men or women, and in addition there be a system of protection of those practicing the profession of journalism. The meeting in which this issue was raised was conducted by IAPA President Alejandro J. Aguirre and present were Congressmen from the PAN party Manuel Clouthier Carrillo and Justino Arriaga Reyes; from the PT party Jaime Cárdenas García; from the PRD party Dolores Nazares Jerónimo and Agustín Guerrero Castillo; from the PVEM party Juan Carlos Natalé, and from the PRI party Efraín Aguilar Góngora. The legislators proposed holding forums with journalists from throughout the country to gather their proposals, with the aim of coming up with legislation to give backing to journalists. Photo: IAPA President Alejandro J. Aguirre (right) hears comments from the legislators. (José Acosta/SIPSE)