The Sunday Read: ‘Who Hired the Hitmen to Silence Zitácuaro?’ | The Daily

Intro

In this episode of “The Daily,” the Sunday Read presents the story of Mexico’s dangerous battle to silence its free press. Journalists in Mexico face death threats, beatings, and torture as they investigate corruption within the government that is supposed to protect them. This gripping narrative follows the tragic story of Armando Linares Lopez, a journalist who refused to be silenced and paid the ultimate price for his dedication to exposing corruption.

Main Takeaways

Mexico’s Dangerous Battle to Silence the Press

• Mexico is facing a war to silence its free press.
• Mexican journalists face death threats, beatings, and torture.
• Authorities whose job it is to protect journalists have been infiltrated by cartels.
• Journalists are forced to hide in safe houses across the country.
• Mexico is one of the most dangerous places in the world for journalists, with at least 128 killed since 2006.

The Tragic Story of Armando Linares Lopez

• Armando Linares Lopez, a journalist in Mexico, was killed while reporting on corruption.
• Linares founded Monit-Dor-Mijwakan, a news site that aimed to expose corruption in their town.
• Linares received a call from a member of the Highly School New Generation Cartel, warning him to stop reporting on the local government and prosecutor’s office.
• Linares refused to stop reporting and continued to publish stories on corruption.
• Linares and his team installed security measures, but still had to pay 500,000 pesos to the cartel to ensure their safety.

The Dangers Faced by Journalists in Mexico

• Journalists face phone hacks, death threats, beatings, and torture.
• Only six out of 105 investigations of journalist killings in Mexico since 2010 resulted in homicide sentences.
• President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has added a new weekly segment to his morning press briefing called “Who’s Who In Lies?” and has publicly criticized journalists.
• Mexico’s government has been corrupted at almost every level, making it hard to distinguish between crime fighters and criminals.
• The tone of local reporting has changed, with less investigative journalism and more feel-good stories about the city’s main square and pigeons.

Summary

Mexico’s Dangerous Battle to Silence the Press

Mexico is facing a war to silence its free press, with journalists being targeted and threatened for their investigative work. The country has become one of the most dangerous places for journalists, with at least 128 killed since 2006. Authorities responsible for protecting journalists have been infiltrated by cartels, leaving reporters with no safe haven. Journalists are forced to hide in safe houses across the country, living in constant fear for their lives.

The Tragic Story of Armando Linares Lopez

Armando Linares Lopez, a brave journalist in Mexico, paid the ultimate price for his dedication to exposing corruption. He founded Monit-Dor-Mijwakan, a news site aimed at uncovering corruption in their town. Despite receiving threats from the Highly School New Generation Cartel, Linares refused to stop reporting and continued to publish stories on corruption. He and his team took security measures, but they still had to pay a hefty sum to the cartel for their safety. Linares’ tragic story highlights the risks journalists face in Mexico and the lengths they go to uncover the truth.

The Dangers Faced by Journalists in Mexico

Journalists in Mexico face extreme danger as they uncover the truth. They are subjected to phone hacks, death threats, beatings, and torture. Shockingly, only a small fraction of journalist killings in Mexico have resulted in homicide sentences. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s public criticism of journalists further adds to the risks they face. The country’s government has been plagued by corruption, making it difficult to distinguish between those fighting crime and those involved in criminal activities. This has led to a shift in the tone of local reporting, with less focus on investigative journalism and more emphasis on feel-good stories.

Conclusion

The battle to silence Mexico’s free press is a tragic reality faced by journalists in the country. Their dedication to uncovering corruption and exposing the truth comes at a great personal risk. Despite the dangers they face, journalists like Armando Linares Lopez refuse to be silenced, emphasizing the importance of a free press in holding those in power accountable. The story serves as a reminder of the sacrifices journalists make to ensure transparency and democracy.