Mexico is considered one of the most dangerous countries for journalists, according to the annual report by Reporters Without Borders (RSF). The country ranks 121 out of 180 in the press freedom index, placing it in the “red zone,” where the situation is described as serious. Journalists in Mexico face constant threats, and many have been killed in recent years due to the government’s lack of protective measures. Since Andrés Manuel López Obrador took office as president in 2018, the situation has not significantly improved.
A Political Environment Hostile to the Press
Violence against journalists in Mexico is not only the result of organized crime or local conflicts but is also fueled by an increasingly hostile political environment. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has taken a confrontational stance toward the media, contributing to the discrediting of journalists. His weekly program, “Who’s Who in the Lies of the Week?” is a platform where the president points out media outlets and journalists that, in his opinion, spread erroneous or biased information, creating an atmosphere of distrust and animosity toward the press.
Throughout his term, López Obrador has accused journalists of serving private and political interests, labeling them as “biased,” “unfair,” and even “corrupt.” This rhetoric has negatively impacted public perception of the media and has fostered a culture of defamation. At the same time, journalists critical of the government have been subjected not only to criticism but also to threats and even violence.
Political and Social Impact
This hostile environment has deep political implications. In a democratic system, the press plays a crucial role as a check on power and as a defender of transparency and accountability. By discrediting journalists, the government undermines the role of the media as an independent and critical actor. This can weaken democratic institutions by limiting access to impartial, quality information and restricting informed public debate. Furthermore, the president’s rhetoric seems to have symbolically validated violence against the press by failing to firmly condemn attacks on journalists and downplaying the importance of independent media.
The murders of journalists, such as the recent case of Alejandro Alfredo Martínez Noguez, are not just individual tragedies but reflect a deeper institutional crisis. Martínez Noguez, who was killed on August 4, 2024, after covering a report for his outlet El Hijo del Llanero Solititito despite being under police protection, is one of many examples of how the lack of effective government action perpetuates impunity. The state’s inability to ensure journalists’ safety and bring those responsible for these crimes to justice is a sign of institutional weakness that undermines the state’s legitimacy in defending human rights.
Artur Romeu, director of Reporters Without Borders for Latin America, expressed this clearly:
“Violence against journalists in Mexico remains unparalleled. (…) Numerous factors explain this reality, but the state’s inability to end the impunity of these crimes is decisive.”
The Challenge for Claudia Sheinbaum’s Government
With Claudia Sheinbaum assuming office on October 1, 2024, there is hope for new policies to improve press freedom in the country. Sheinbaum has promised to address violence against journalists and ensure their safety, but she will face significant challenges in fulfilling these promises. The political environment inherited from López Obrador, characterized by distrust and confrontation with the media, will be a major obstacle.
One of the new government’s first challenges will be to demonstrate a real commitment to press protection. This involves not only increasing security measures for at-risk journalists but also taking concrete steps to investigate crimes committed against them and end impunity. Additionally, Sheinbaum must work to change the hostile narrative that has prevailed in recent years, fostering a more constructive relationship between the government and the media.
The Press as a Pillar of Democracy
Freedom of the press is a fundamental pillar of any democracy, and its protection is essential to guarantee the right to information and accountability. In Mexico, the challenges to preserving this right are immense. López Obrador’s hostile rhetoric toward the media, coupled with the state’s inability to protect journalists, has led to a crisis that endangers both journalists and the proper functioning of democracy.
The arrival of Claudia Sheinbaum offers an opportunity to correct this course. Although the road will be difficult, her commitment to press protection and eliminating impunity will be key to ensuring a safer environment for journalists and strengthening democracy in Mexico.
At Free Press Alliance, we remain hopeful that these changes will materialize and that the new government will prioritize journalists’ safety. Only with effective measures and true political will can an environment be created where the media can carry out their work without fear, thus contributing to a more solid and transparent democracy.