Para periodistas, México es peligroso

Translated, the headline says, “For journalists, Mexico is dangerous.”

Except for countries with combat zones, Mexico was the deadliest place to gather and present the news in 2017.

At least six journalists were killed there for covering corruption and other crimes.

This is according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, an advocacy group based in New York, in its annual compilation of journalists killed, imprisoned or gone missing in the line of duty.

Around the world, from Jan. 1 through Dec. 15, 2017, at least 42 journalist were killed doing their jobs. That’s down from higher annual totals earlier in the decade.

Some were killed while covering combat or were caught in crossfire. But most were deliberately targeted in retaliation for what they were doing. No journalists were murdered in the U.S. because of their work.

The six murders of journalists set a record for Mexico and made it the third deadliest country after Iraq and Syria, both of which are wracked by armed strife.

Here are brief accounts of the six murders, based on information at cpj.org:

Salvador Adame Pardo, who covered politics and ran a television station, was abducted off the street by unknown assailants in a black SUV. Adame was known for criticizing municipal officials. His burned remains were later found in another town.

Miroslava Breach Velducea, who covered the connection between politics and crime for a newspaper, was shot eight times by an unknown assailant as she was leaving home with one of her three children. Breach’s child was not injured.

A note found at the scene read: “For being a snitch. You're next, governor.” It was signed “The 80,” the title of a criminal gang leader.

Edgar Daniel Esqueda Castro, a photographer, was found dead near an airport. His body had three gunshot wounds and showed signs of torture. Early the previous morning, three unknown assailants broke into his home and took him away at gunpoint.

Months earlier, several police officers beat Esqueda Castro while he was photographing a shootout scene.

Cecilio

Pineda

Birto, who reported on crime for newspapers and social media, was shot dead by unknown assailants while he was in a hammock at a car wash waiting for his vehicle.

Maximino Rodríguez, who covered crime, politics and corruption for a website, was killed just after he and his wife entered their vehicle in a parking lot. Unknown assailants in a white SUV opened fire with assault rifles at close range. His wife was not harmed.

Javier Valdez Cárdenas, a reporter and editor, was confronted by unknown assailants near the offices of the investigative weekly he co-founded. They blocked Valdez’s way, dragged him out of his car and shot him at least 12 times.

I have a final comment about the murder of journalists in Mexico and elsewhere while they are serving the public:

Tiene que cesar. (It must be stopped.)

At least six journalists were killed there for covering corruption and other crimes.