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Ombudsman: 2005 “black year” for Mexico's press

Mexico / AFP
07/08/2005

This Sunday, the National Commission of Human Rights of Mexico (CNDH) described 2005 as a "black year" for the press and the journalistic exercise in this country, because seven journalists have been assassinated since January of this year.

"Just in 2005, between January and July, seven homicides of reporters and Media personnel have happened, in what has been called a 'black year' for the security and the guarantees of the Media personnel who professionally exert the liberties of expression and information", the Ombudsman explained.

According to the CNDH, from 2000 the benefit of the freedom of expression was extended in Mexico, "but also the number and the gravity of the attacks and aggressions registered against journalists rose."

Similarly "the threats against members of the press on the part of the organized crime were diversified," he added. In addition to the cases of direct physical violence, the CNDH has registered in the last five years 214 complaints of journalists.

In 2004 five Media workers were assassinated. Most of these crimes are perpetrated by the drug trafficking or the organized delinquency, according to these organisms.