In Mexico, reporter missing since Saturday
New York, July 11, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists is concerned about the fate of Mexican journalist Rafael Ortiz Martínez, who has been missing since Saturday morning. CPJ is investigating whether the disappearance is related to his work. Ortiz, a reporter for the Monclova-based daily Zócalo and host of the morning news program “Radio Zócalo”…
CPJ urges revival of probe into murder of Zeta editor
New York, June 22, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists urged Mexican authorities to revive a stalled investigation into the murder of Francisco Ortiz Franco, co-editor of the Tijuana-based weekly Zeta, who was gunned two years ago today. José Luis Vasconcelos, the leading prosecutor in the organized crime division of the federal Attorney General’s office, told…
Journalist’s car set on fire
June 20, 2006 Posted: July 17, 2006 Manuel Acuña López, ¡Por Esto! HARRASSED Acuña’s car was set on fire while parked inside the garage beside his home. Acuña, a journalist for the Mérida-based daily ¡Por Esto!, has reported on government corruption in Mérida and criticized local authorities.
Journalist detained while covering meeting of chamber of commerce
MAY 13, 2006 Posted: June 1, 2006 Víctor Lara Martínez, ¡Por Esto! HARASSED Lara, a reporter for the Mérida-based daily Por Esto!, was detained at 6 p.m. on May 13 while covering a meeting at the local chamber of commerce. He was held for 17 hours at a local police station after being accused of…
Two measures approved in Mexico City to protect journalists
New York, April 28, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes the approval of two measures by the Mexico City Legislative Assembly—one decriminalizing defamation, libel and slander, and the other enabling journalists to withhold the identity of confidential sources. “We’re gratified that the Mexico City assembly has adopted these measures, which represent important milestones in the…
In Mexico, two bills would protect journalists
New York, April 20, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists lauds the Mexican Chamber of Deputies’ passage on Tuesday of a bill that would eliminate criminal defamation, libel, and slander laws from federal statute books. CPJ also welcomes the chamber’s approval of a second measure that allows journalists to withhold from authorities information about sources.
Columnist released from prison
Updated: APRIL 12, 2006 Original Alert: February 6, 2006 Angel Mario Ksheratto, Cuarto Poder IMPRISONED Ksheratto was released on February 22 after posting a 100,000 pesos bail (US$9,000). The columnist spent 18 days at El Amate Prison, a maximum security facility in the city of Cintalapa.
Newspaper directors attacked
APRIL 11, 2006 Francisco Rivera, Noticia de Michoacán ATTACKED, THREATENED APRIL 20, 2006 Rafael Rivera Millán, Gente del Balsa ATTACKED, THREATENED Rivera and Rivera Millán, directors of the local dailies, were attacked nine days apart by members of the Sicartsa Miners and Steelworkers Union while covering protests in the western city of Lázaro Cárdenas.