Corruption and Narcotics Syndicates Obstruct Press Freedom: Mexican Press Figure

Jakarta, InfoPublik - Founder and Editor-in-Chief of the Mexican Newspaper Norte de Ciudad Juarez Oscar Cantu implored for support from international community to realize the freedom of  press in his country.

“High rates of corruption and strong drug syndicates make  press freedom difficult  to be realized in Mexico,"said Oscar Cantu, during a panel discussion entitled “Spotlight on Investigative Journalism”, World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) 2017, in Jakarta, Thursday (5/4).

The Mexican government, he said, was unable to protect journalists in exercising their profession. "We are expecting the world's attention, not to take the spotlight away from Mexico. Now we are facing a concerning condition where there is no law enforcement for murder and violence against journalists, "said Oscar Cantu.

In Mexico, critical Journalists are endangered because they received pressures from authorities and criminal groups. "In some parts of Mexico, drug dealer groups are ruling the region, so  that journalists face problems like murder," he added.

Oscar Cantu conveyed more than 2,000 journalists became victims of murder in the last 15 years in Mexico. "Our country has the highest risk for journalists in South America," he said.

He asserted that civilians in Mexico have joined the journalists to build democracy. "The press has become the fourth pillar of democracy, and it needs people’s  participation," he said.

This panel discussion is a part of  World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) 2017 which took place at Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) from 1-4 May 2017. Attending the discussion were domestic and foreign journalists and media practitioners. (Reporter:Eko Budiona/Translator:Sugiarti)