Mexico: Articulo 19 Launches “Interrupted Message” Documentary on Risks Journalists Face

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Of those countries not at war, Mexico is the most dangerous country to practice journalism in. In 2019, Articulo 19 documented 609 cases of violence against journalists, of which ten were murders. Impunity in crimes against communicators is over 99% this same source estimates.

Within this framework, the International Organization for the Rights of Freedom of Expression, Articulo 19 presented the documentary “Interrupted Message” that narrates the lives of four journalists who suffered threats, intimidation, kidnapping and defamation for their work.

“Interrupted Message” shows the obstacles, risks and dangers of journalism in Mexico with the stories of Ernesto Aroche, from the Lado B website, from Puebla, from the photojournalist Jesus Gonzalez of “El Mañana” newspaper from Tamaulipas, from Mayra Cisneros, ex-reporter and radio host on “La Poderosa 94.7”, in Coahuila, and Flor Hernandez, ex-journalist with Newsweek, Oaxaca.

Flor Hernandez (ex-journalist for Newsweek, Oaxaca):

“At the beginning of 2018, an investigation began on the use of money for thereconstruction of schools affected by the earthquakes of 2017. In the investigation, it was discovered that on some occasions the resources were assigned to municipalities to ne effect, while in others it was used for things other than the reconstruction of educational establishments. As soon as the news was published, personal harassment began in the form of phone calls to insult and threaten her, in addition to being intimidated by unknown cars and persons. As a result of this situation, she is forced to stop practicing journalism. In the end, the people involved in the diversion of resources allocated to school reconstruction achieved their goal and no one else investigates the case.”