- Title: MEXICO: Journalists demand increased safety measures
- Date: 8th August 2010
- Summary: JUAREZ, CHIHUAHUA, MEXICO (FILE) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF CAR WITH BULLET HOLES PEOPLE LOOKING ON GENERAL VIEW OF THE CAR WITH A BODY LAYING ON THE SIDE
- Embargoed: 23rd August 2010 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Mexico
- Country: Mexico
- Topics: Domestic Politics
- Reuters ID: LVAERLABY3YHHPE0VCFLNGPCW39Z
- Story Text: Mexican journalists marched on Saturday (August 7) to demand the government step up security measures as journalists come under increasing threats by organized crime and what they say is government inaction to protect their safety.
Mexico has been called the most dangerous place on the planet in which to be a reporter and many have stopped reporting in certain areas of the country because of threats from drug cartels, soldiers and police.
About 750 journalists marched along Mexico City's central Paseo de la Reforma to the government house to demand the end of violence, intimidation and kidnapping.
The reporters carried a banner with the names of 76 journalists: 64 who have been murdered and 12 who have disappeared since 2001, according to the National Human Rights Commission.
"We have here more than 60 dead and 11 missing and there are areas of the country from where it's impossible to report and where he who dares go out on the street with a camera or a notebook could die, immediately tortured. So I think then that we've paid a very high cost and it's time to hit the streets and demand that the government guarantee safety for the exercise of journalism and, at the same time, debate under what conditions journalism should be practiced," said cameraman Epigmenio Ibarra.
Others carried posters reading: "The end of impunity!" "Without journalists, there is no information."
They demanded that the government crack down on murders, kidnapping, disappearances and threats against the media and said it's the state's responsibility to assure that journalists can report the truth without fearing for their lives.
"Hopefully, the government recognizes that we come in peace to ask, within our rights, for guarantees and that the state doesn't evade its responsibility in that sense," said Jose Cardenas who works for Radio Formula.
The protesters said the government must realize the importance of a democracy where citizens can enjoy a free press and exchange ideas without fear of retribution or bodily harm.
Once they arrived at the government house, the protesters placed a banner on the front gate with the names of all the murdered and missing journalists. - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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