During this period, a colleague was murdered, and multiple attacks were recorded, which confirms that the country is one of the riskiest to practice journalism.
Criminal groups and factors of local political power are the primary sources of insecurity. Added to this is the presidential narrative of almost six years against the press, which is stigmatized daily with accusations of corruption in retaliation for not reflecting official points of view or criticizing the government.
Article 19 launched the Rompe el Miedo network, together with the Border Center for Journalists and Bloggers, Comunicación e Información de la Mujer, Perteneces, Propuesta Cívica y Toma tu Remo. The network's purpose is to monitor and document attacks against journalists and media during the general electoral process, which will conclude in July.
Ismael Villagómez, a photojournalist for El Heraldo de Juárez dedicated to urban issues and migration, was shot to death on November 16 in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua. The outlet director, José Ramón Ortiz, did not know if the journalist was previously threatened.
Other relevant facts:
On February 1, independent journalist Yolanda Caballero was attacked in Tijuana, Baja California. A man threw bottles of fuel into her car.
On February 13, in Cuautla, Morelos, Andrés Salas, director of the Noticias de Cuautla page, was attacked. Four men shot at his vehicle, killing the driver and wounding Salas' brother. The journalist said: "I am not willing to stay in this country." Seven years ago, he founded the portal that he directs. Salas hopes that the protection mechanism will review his case.
On March 11, journalist and news anchor from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Jaime Barrera, was kidnapped. The Jalisco prosecutor's office reported that he was abducted by a group of between three and four people who were carrying long weapons. Barrera was released 48 hours later and said the kidnappers warned him that he and his colleagues should not report cases related to organized crime.
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has radicalized his anti-media discourse a few months after leaving power.
On January 19, communicator Azucena Uresti announced her departure from Milenio Televisión after 20 years. In her farewell, she said they were "moments of definition" and alluded to "current circumstances." Her words raised suspicions about the media's discomfort with her critical position towards the government. The channel denied any connection.
In March, reporter Laura Brugés was fired from Radio Formula after being mentioned in the "Who's Who in the Lies of the Week" space on Las mañaneras. She was referred to as a journalist who had a critical campaign against the president.
In his morning conference, President López Obrador announced the telephone number of The New York Times reporter Natalie Kitroeff, head of the correspondent for Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, in retaliation for the publication of a report that revealed that The U.S.U.S. State Department would have investigated the president's inner circle for allegedly having received money from criminal groups to finance his electoral campaign.
On January 30, Raymundo Riva Palacio, journalist, media host, and opinion columnist, obtained an injunction against President López Obrador and Elizabeth García Vilchis, in charge of the section "Who's who in the lies of the week," after the accusations against him. According to the protection, the president and García Vilchis must refrain from issuing any statement, demonstration, or public declaration that reveals the journalist's personal information. If they do so, they must grant the right to reply within 24 hours after the accusations they make.
Previously, journalist Denisse Dresser had also successfully defended herself against mentions against her in the president's morning conferences.
