Dozens of Mexican media outlets and a leading global watchdog on Wednesday called on President Claudia Sheinbaum to address attacks against media workers in the country, where at least seven have been killed this year alone. Mexico is one of the most dangerous countries in the world to be a journalist, with multiple NGOs reporting that a large number of murders and attacks go unpunished. Over 40 local media outlets endorsed a statement by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) urging Sheinbaum to react to the violence. “How many more of us will have to die before the Mexican state takes action?” the media watchdog wrote. “Mexico cannot become accustomed to counting its murdered journalists,” it added. The statement called for a national emergency response involving federal and local authorities to protect the reporters. Seventeen journalists have been killed since Sheinbaum took office in October 2024, according to RSF. The NGO Article 19 has meanwhile recorded more than 180 crimes against media workers since 2000. Sheinbaum’s leftist administration recently drew condemnation by releasing the names of journalists and outlets that had been critical of the government. Those listed reported that they had received online abuse as a result. The president played down the incident, while also announcing that no names would be circulated again.
