Press Freedom in Mexico: The shadow of impunity and violence

Mexico is one of the most dangerous countries for journalists in the Americas. In the past eight years, at least twenty-four journalists and media workers have been killed, eight more have disappeared and dozens have been threatened, intimidated or harassed for reasons related to their profession. The majority of cases of assaults against journalists remain in impunity, which has given rise to widespread self-censorship.

In an unprecedented initiative in response to this situation, thirteen international press freedom and freedom of expression organisations formed an international mission which travelled to Mexico to analyse the situation of journalists and media outlets in the country, in order to work together with Mexican organisations in the future to improve the conditions faced by journalists and the media at large.

During six days from April 20 to 25, 2008, the group visited five Mexican cities, where members of the International Press Freedom and Freedom of Expression Mission held dozens of interviews and working meetings with reporters, editors, media owners, family members of the victims of assaults, and with national and international human rights and journalists organisations, as well as with state and federal authorities.