More than 40 Mexican media outlets have joined international press freedom group Reporters Without Borders to demand that President Claudia Sheinbaum and authorities take urgent action to stop attacks against journalists.
The joint appeal follows the murder of seven journalists in Mexico since the beginning of 2026, highlighting the severe danger facing media workers across the country.
In a joint statement released by Reporters Without Borders, also known as RSF, the organisations asked how many more media professionals would have to die before the Mexican state intervened. They added that Mexico must not become accustomed to simply tallying murdered journalists.
Fatalities and Press Freedom Rankings
According to RSF, 17 journalists have been killed in Mexico since October 2024, when Sheinbaum assumed the presidency. Separate records from human rights organisation Article 19 document more than 180 crimes committed against media workers in Mexico since 2000.
Multiple non-governmental organisations consider Mexico to be among the most dangerous countries in the world for press workers, warning that perpetrators of violence against journalists routinely remain unpunished.
In the annual Press Freedom Index published by RSF, Mexico ranks 122nd out of 180 countries overall, but falls to 160th place specifically regarding safety for journalists.
Reporters Without Borders, headquartered in Paris, promotes and defends freedom of information worldwide. Article 19 is an international human rights group focusing on freedom of expression. Mexico has suffered decades of violence connected to organized crime and political corruption, leaving local reporters particularly exposed when covering law enforcement and politics.
Government Criticisms and Listed Journalists
The joint petition comes after the Mexican presidency drew sharp criticism for publicly releasing a list of names of journalists and media outlets that criticize the left-wing government.
Reporters named on the presidential list reported experiencing targeted online harassment and attacks following its release.
President Sheinbaum subsequently attempted to downplay the incident, but pledged that her administration would not publish similar lists in the future.
