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Deputy Mendoza Condemns Violence Against Journalists

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  • Published on Monday, 07 May 2012 16:05
  • By Brendan Missett

On May 3rd, recognized as World Press Freedom Day, Deputy Juan Mendoza Reyes, the president of the Political Coordination Board of the Congress of State, marked the occasion by lamenting that in Mexico, instead of participating in the celebration the journalists' union lives in a climate of insecurity.

Referring to the death of Regina Martinez, a correspondent for the magazine "Proceso" in Veracruz, as well as four media workers in the state, Mendoza Reyes condemned the attack on freedom of expression in the country and expressed solidarity with those who marched in downtown Oaxaca last Thursday to demand justice for the murder.

In response to the crime, the legislature required the federal and state governments to resolve and punish these acts of subversion and demanded institutional coordination to provide security to those journalists who are currently engaged a noble profession. Mendoza Reyes, who is also the coordinator of the parliamentary National Action Party (PAN), stated that the issue of protecting the work of journalists is the responsibility of the three levels of government: municipal, state and federal, all of which must make a joint effort to end the attacks on media professionals.

In reference to the groups and gangs bent on silencing the journalists, Mendoza Reyes said that "gangs are reluctant to abide by the law and, unfortunately, [the government] has not been able to exterminate those who violate the rule of law. "

The deputy continued that the actions carried out by this legislative protection to journalists is only the beginning of an effort to build further legislation aimed at ensuring full security of reporters, including their labor rights and physical protection.

"The State Congress will continue working for better laws to protect the work of journalists and to improve their working conditions, and will deliver results not only in speech but in deed," he said.

Throughout his message, Mendoza Reyes acknowledged the work of journalists as an essential part of informing the public of political and social events.

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