MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - 2020/09/28: Protesters attempt to break through the police barrier as several journalists attempt to capture the event.
Hundreds of women marched through Mexico's capital to demand nationwide legalisation of abortion, leading to clashes with police who blocked their way. Protesters gathered near the capital's historic center to head to the central plaza but were stopped by female police officers with shields, Police used pepper spray against demonstrators who sprayed paint along the route of the march to mark International Safe Abortion Day. (Photo by Lexie Harrison-Cripps/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Joint statement
Mexico: Setbacks to freedom of expression in 2020
Throughout 2020, the freedom of expression situation in Mexico has been worsening. The government has failed to fulfill its commitments.
In November 2019, a coalition of 17 international organisations dedicated to defending and promoting freedom of expression and information undertook a mission to Mexico to address the situation of impunity in cases involving crimes against journalists. One year after this International Mission to Mexico, the government has failed to fulfill its commitments, and the freedom of expression situation in the country is worsening.
Throughout 2020, the freedom of expression situation in Mexico has been worsening. ARTICLE 19 has documented a 45% increase in attacks against the press in comparison to 2019.
Since the mission to Mexico, at least seven journalists have been assassinated, with the crimes having possible links to their journalism work. In addition, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) report that at least 21 journalists have disappeared since 2003, representing the highest figure in the Americas. Moreover, in 2020, Mexico rose one spot on the Global Impunity Index of the Committee to Protect Journalists, now occupying sixth place – just below open war zones.
The authorities in Mexico have continued both their stigmatising discourse around journalists and the criminalisation of journalism, despite warnings about the risks of doing so. Both the federal executive branch and government representatives in various states have undermined those who question, criticise, or report on the actions of public officials.
