For immediate release - 17 June 2008

Mexico: Threats against Journalists Exercising Right to Access Information, Imply a Double Risk for Free Expression

Fátima Monterrosa investigative journalist for the magazine MX has been subjected to threats after publishing an article entitled, “A Viceroyalty Named Tlaxcala”. This article exposed a series of anomalies in the government administration of the state of Tlaxcala.

The work of Fátima Monterrosa is well known in the journalist community of Mexico, having worked as a press correspondent for a diverse range of national print and electronic media outlets. Over the years she has covered the situation and uprising of the indigenous communities in Chiapas, and other themes related to poverty, but her specialty is the reportage of investigation on themes of corruption and access to information.

In the article “A Viceroyalty Named Tlaxcala”, Monterrosa exposed an alleged series of financial investments made with the public resources of Tlaxcala.

During an interview with ARTICLE 19, Monterrosa refers to the month of March as the time when she was first subjected to intimidation, such as the presence of cars without registration plates or visible identification in the vicinity of the office of the magazine in which she works. On the 10th of July the digital magazine E-Consulta published an article entitled “MX Magazine is going to publish a new report with further information”, days later the following message appeared in the commentary section of E-Consulta “we’re going to kill you Fatima you’re not going to know where we’re going to do it. That’s for getting involved with the wrong people”.

For ARTICLE 19 and the Collective for Transparency the threats against journalists replicate and entrench the climate of self censorship and the lack of public interest information that exists in Mexico. It is important to note that, the great majority of the physical aggressions against journalists are preceded by intimidating actions of this sort.

Journalists who exercise their right to access to public information fulfil an essential social function in the democratic system of promoting public interest information so people can take free, informed, and autonomous decisions.

“The censorship of a woman journalist is of deep concern, not only does it affect the right to be informed, but also the possibility of enriching public debate with the perspective and knowledge that comes from the equitable participation of women in the free flow of information and opinions. said Dr. Agnès Callamard, Executive Director of ARTICLE 19

ARTICLE 19 and the Collective for Transparency condemn these acts and express their solidarity with Fátima Monterrosa. At the same time they make a call on the Mexican State to ensure an effective investigation will be carried out in order to that those responsible are held to account by the appropriate authorities.
 

NOTES TO EDITORS

For more information, please contact Ricardo Gonzalez, Ricardo@article19.org +52 (55) 1054-6500

ARTICLE 19 is an independent human rights organisation that works globally to protect and promote the right to freedom of expression. It takes its name from Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which guarantees free speech.