Mexicans are protesting the killings of journalists, Reuters is demanding

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Mexican journalists on Tuesday launched protests across the nation to denounce the recent killings of three journalists, demanding an end to the frequent impunity for the killings of their colleagues.

Protests following the assassination of skilled journalist Lourdes Maldonado on Sunday, about three years after he raised the issue of assassinations with President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and said he feared for his life.

Protesters in central Puebla put flowers and candles on the street, along with placards reading “I am angry with censorship,” television footage showed, and protesters in the northern state of Chihuahua drew “Journalism is a Risk.” and drew Maldonado’s face.

Israel Ibarra, president of a communications school in Baja California, said the government and society would not be “complicit” not only in the killings of Maldonado and others, but also in the “killings of freedom of expression in Mexico.”

Mexico is one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists, with about 145 killed between 2000 and 2021, according to an Article 19 defense group.

Mexican media networks voted to organize the rallies, and will join the network’s protest campaigns.

“There is an urgent need for state and federal authorities to prevent attacks, to protect journalists when they are victims, and to investigate crimes committed against the press with due diligence,” Article 19 said in a statement.

Maldonado’s assassination in the northern border city of Tijuana, where he worked for many years, came after two other Mexican journalists were killed this month.

Lopez Obrador, who has been criticized for not doing more to protect journalists, said his government is investigating and “will shed light on this crime to prevent further killings of journalists.”

Critics say Lopez Obrador has failed to meet his commitments to reduce violence, fight deep-rooted organized crime or reduce impunity. The president says crime and violence are the product of chronic corruption and inequality.