The IPI global network today condemned the killings of two Mexican journalists earlier this month. IPI calls for a thorough investigation into the motives of the murders in both cases and urges authorities to find the killers. Authorities must do a better job of protecting journalists who have been reported to be at risk.
On January 17, photojournalist Margarito Mart铆nez was shot in the head outside his home in the northern border city of Tijuana. The journalist was by unidentified assailants as he left for work. He was found by his 16-year-old daughter immediately after.
Mart铆nez covered gang-related crime and violence for national and international news outlets as a photojournalist. He also worked as a fixer assisting international outlets like the BBC and the Los Angeles Times. According to press agency , Martinez had been included in a state program aimed at safeguarding the lives of journalists after he received threats.
It is the second murder of a journalist in Mexico in a week, after Jos茅 Luis Gamboa Arenas was shot on January 10 in the southeastern state of Veracruz. Gamboa Arenas, the general director of the digital newspaper Inforegio, was found badly injured on a street after an alleged robbery. He was taken to a hospital where he died from his injuries. His body was only identified by his family members on January 14.
The IPI global network deplores the murders of Mart铆nez and Gamboa Arenas, IPI Deputy Director Scott Griffen said. 鈥淎uthorities should thoroughly investigate these killings, determine whether the journalists were targeted due to their work, and find the suspected killers. It is essential to secure justice for the victims and their families and prevent a chilling effect on other Mexican journalists who might avoid publishing risky stories as a result of these and murders of journalists in the country.鈥�
IPI also calls on Mexican authorities to provide a safer working environment for journalists, especially those working on organized crime and violence. 鈥淚t is extremely troubling that Mart铆nez was murdered despite his participation in Mexico鈥檚 protection program for journalists, a fact which only further raises the responsibility of the Mexican authorities to solve this case swiftly and prevent the usual impunity from settling in.鈥�
Marina del Pilar 脕vila Olmeda, governor of Baja California state, where Tijuana is located, issued a statement late Monday in which she condemned Martinez鈥檚 murder. 鈥淲e trust in the work of the State Attorney General鈥檚 Office to resolve this unfortunate act and that it does not remain unpunished鈥�, she said.
In 2021, Mexico was the deadliest country for journalists in the world, with seven journalists killed for their work, according to IPI鈥檚 Death Watch. All seven cases were targeted killings. According to IPI鈥檚 analysis, journalists researching local politics and organized crime, including drug trafficking, are especially at risk.
Mexico is known for its high level of impunity when it comes to crimes against journalists. In 2021, Mexican authorities arrested suspects in only one of the seven cases of journalist killings. Despite this tragic status quo, the government has decided to stop funds allocated for upholding the Law for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders and Journalists (LPPDHP).