Mexican authorities explored the killing of a local reporter on Monday in the central state Gunathe leader of the killings in the country.
State Prosecutor’s Office identified the victim only by his name but local media He said the victim Kristian Zavala, who covered local departures in the town of Silao on his Facebook page. Zavala and the other person were killed on Sunday, according to the office. According to local mediaZavala and his companion shot unknown individuals on the vehicle after midnight
It was at least Third killing a media worker So far this year is, although it is unclear whether the motive is associated with his work. The US Journalist Protection Committee and Mexico Chapter 19 demanded a thorough investigation.
Guanajuato violence is associated with a liquid conflict between the Santa Rosa de Lima gang and Jalisco New Generation CarteOne of the most powerful in the Latin American nation. Last month Trump’s administration formally Marked eight cartels as terrorist groups, including the Jalisco cartel.
For years Mexico was one of the world’s the most dangerous countries outside the war zone for journalists. A record number of journalists was killed around the world in 2024, a journalist protection committee in the report Posted last month.
How are the killings of journalists counting
Sometimes the authorities say that the victim was a journalist, but usually only if someone is well known. More often, advocacy organizations for print share information.
Information, however, can vary between sources. In many cases, such as welds, victims cover very local events using social platforms, not for traditional newspapers, television or radio stations. In these cases, it is common for coverage of only one of the jobs of a person. They can also drive a taxi or do something else to put an end to the end.
The same authorities who in some cases seek answers quickly reject the work of journalists as a possible motive or suggest that they were involved in unpleasant people or work.
The number of journalist killings has been reduced, but does that mean it is safer?
Not. Mexico had its most deadly year for journalists in 2022 With 13 murders, according to CPJ and Articulo 19. 2023 and 2024, it fell half or less, but non-dead attacks withdrew.
2023. Artanlo 19 recorded 561 such attacks, which includes disappearances.
Hyperlocal journalists like Zavala are often the most appropriate. They cover crime in places where cartels act unpunished or covered by local policy in which justice is difficult to approach, and politicians can be considered easier by silenced a critical voice.
All but several murders and abductions of media workers remain unresolved.
“Impunity is the norm in crimes against printing”, The Journalist Protection Committee said in the report on Mexico last year.
What does the authorities do?
Proponents of printing are criticized by authorities for frequent reduction of aggression according to the press and sometimes do not investigate at all.
During the administration of former President Andrés Manuel Lópeza Obrador, he often used his daily printing briefings to attack journalists, calling them enemies or opponents and leaving the impression that fair games were.
AND CPJ and Amnesty International Report He showed in 2024 that Mexico failed in his efforts to provide printing members from the state.
