25 replies to this topic

[mortsahl]

Ah, the old "tree falling in a forest conundrum" - what does it matter how many were from Lakeside, they were all victims, all tragically mutilated and their lives ended.

"First hand knowledge" means that you witnessed the event(s). Second hand knowledge is anything else from reading it in the paper to rumor mongering. So which is it?

[manny]

it is not only the journalist who is @ risk. the editors & the owners of the newspapers are as well. they are careful what they print. mexico is not a free democracy. i am sure on some level there is censoring in the new york times as well. conflict of interests what ever. (i have seen outright self serving lies in the NYtimes). but no where as serious as here.

[Happy Feet]

it is not only the journalist who is @ risk. the editors & the owners of the newspapers are as well. they are careful what they print. mexico is not a free democracy. i am sure on some level there is censoring in the new york times as well. conflict of interests what ever. (i have seen outright self serving lies in the NYtimes). but no where as serious as here.

As are forum, blog owners at risk.

BIENVENIDO DE NUEVO, MANNY.

[slainte39]

If journalists can't report the news without a high risk of torture and death, it is NOT a free press. A truly free press implies that journalists are free to report the news and that the journalists remain free (out of prison) and alive after reporting. In Mexico, although a free press exists in theory (ie it is not against the law to report the news), the government is either unwilling or unable to ensure the existence of a free press.

There is the law and there is reality. In Mexico, as in many other countries, the law and reality are not the same.

You are painting all of Mexico with too broad a brush.
Journalists ARE reporting the news and being killed in certain areas, no doubt. But there are many cities and areas where there isn't any intimidation of reporters...such as Queretaro, SMA, Cuernavaca to name a few. Even the Guadalajara newspapers, which is very close to this local violence has done a good job of reporting the events and keeping the public informed.
Newspapers and journalists in Mexico pride themselves on being free, independent, and true crusaders going back to the Revolution and before.

To say there isn't a "free press", is an insult to these courageous, professional, and above reproach people of the printed medium.
I guess in your definition of a "free" country, there wouldn't be any need for a police force.

[Wildrose]

To say there isn't a "free press", is an insult to these courageous, professional, and above reproach people of the printed medium.
I guess in your definition of a "free" country, there wouldn't be any need for a police force.

Really now, take a deep breath and stop flaming at me.

I didn't insult the courage and professionalism of journalists. They risk their lives to do their job. The risk is shared by all media workers - print journalists, photographers, radio and TV reporters, and Internet news sources.

Some links that may be of interest:

http://www.washingto...al-report-says/

http://www.csmonitor...self-censorship

A short summary of Press Freedom Day
http://thenextweb.co...rdian-activate/
which contains the interesting quote:
In 2011, 172 attacks against the Mexican press were registered, and nine of these were killings. ”If you try to buy life insurance, the moment you say you’re a journalist, you’re denied,” one Mexican journalist declared.

The Mexican Press - At the Crossroads of Violence - "Last year we declared ourselves war corresponsents in our own land" http://www.nieman.ha...f-Violence.aspx

"Freedom of expression is fundamental to a successful democracy. Writers and journalists who expose corruption and wrongdoing must know that they will not be killed for their efforts."(quoted from link below)
http://www.theglobea...article2418321/

and from May 19, 2012 - Crime reporter is Fourth Journalist to be Killed in Less Than a Month
http://en.rsf.org/me...2012,42624.html

[Moderator3]

This has gone too far off topic so I am going to lock this thread. If you wish to discuss the press in Mexico please start a new thread in the Mexico General forum.