Mexico remains the most dangerous country to practice journalism in Latin America, according to the annual report from Reporters Without Borders (RSF), due to the increasing fragility of its media ecosystem. In 2019, 37 journalists were murdered in the country, placing it at 124th out of 180 countries in the World Press Freedom Index, a drop of three places compared to the previous year.
Additionally, Mexico has experienced the fourth-largest decline in the economic indicator in Latin America, according to the RSF report. Over the years, the country has reported one of the highest numbers of journalist murders worldwide. The collusion between authorities and organized crime poses a serious threat to reporters, especially those covering sensitive issues related to politics or local crime.
During the tenure of former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, RSF sounded the alarm about the violent and stigmatizing rhetoric towards journalists, particularly through sections like 'Who is who in the lies of the week?' during presidential conferences. Despite the current president, Claudia Sheinbaum, signing a commitment to defend press freedom with RSF in 2024, she has implemented the 'Lie Detector' space during her morning conferences to debunk rumors and misinformation with verifiable data.
According to RSF, from the year 2000 to 2024, approximately 150 journalists have been killed and 28 have disappeared in Mexico. The current situation of journalism in the country remains critical, with journalists facing threats, kidnappings, and even exile as a consequence of the dangers of practicing their informative work.
