The organization defending freedom of expression and information, Article 19, issued a statement on February 25 warning that the judicial process initiated by Banco Azteca against journalists and social media users undermines freedom of expression. According to the statement, Banco Azteca's legal representation followed through on its threat of legal action against seven journalists and communicators, including Jorge Gómez Naredo and Vicente Serrano, for alleged moral damage.
Pedro Cárdenas, Protection and Defense Officer of Article 19, mentioned during 'Aristegui en Vivo' that the organization has documented an alarming increase in legal proceedings against journalists and communicators. The organization also reported an overall increase in legal actions and emphasized the importance of judicial authorities acting according to standards that protect human rights.
In the same vein, last week several affected parties were notified about a new civil suit for moral damage, adding to the existing proceedings. Cárdenas called on judicial authorities to rely on international and national human rights standards, such as the principle of "actual malice" or "effective malice."
During President Andrés Manuel López Obrador's term, 158 cases of judicial harassment against journalists were recorded, with an average of two to three processes initiated monthly. More than 60% of these cases are driven by authorities, while the remaining 40% comes from businessmen and public figures with government ties.
Article 19 emphasizes that freedom of expression is a broad right that includes uncomfortable or critical speech, especially towards figures of power. The organization points out that these legal proceedings create a chilling effect, which deters others from exercising their right to free expression. Among those affected are journalists Jorge Gómez Naredo and Vicente Serrano, whose cases have been documented by Article 19.
