Mexico: Mayor and Press Officer of Torreón Assault Camelia Muñoz
Women Press Freedom unequivocally condemns the acts of aggression and calls for immediate, transparent investigations into both officials' conduct
Location: Mexico, Torreón
Date: April 7, 2024
Women Press Freedom is appalled by the recent events in Torreón, Mexico, where journalist Camelia Muñoz faced egregious attacks while performing her duties. The verbal assault by municipal president Román Alberto Cepeda and the physical confrontation by press chief Cristal Barrientos during an interview at the Planetarium Torreón undermine the core principles of press freedom and highlight the perilous conditions under which journalists operate in Mexico. In Mexico, where journalists face constant physical threats and assaults, such actions only worsen the already challenging environment for independent reporting. We demand that the Mexican government take decisive action to protect journalists, implement stringent measures against those who violate press freedoms, and ensure a safe environment for the media to operate without fear of retribution.
WPF strongly condemns the ongoing legal proceedings against Gözde Bedeloğlu, a journalist for BirGün, who is currently facing charges of "insulting a public official" in Istanbul, Turkiye, filed by a Nationalist Movement Party politician.
During the ongoing Israel/Palestine conflict, the fundamental principles of press freedom have come under dire threat.
WPF welcomes the judgment of the Fair Work Commission that found that broadcaster Antoinette Lattouf was fired by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) following a social media post by Lattouf sharing a Human Rights Watch claim about Israel's actions in Gaza.
In a deeply troubling incident at the Planetarium Torreón, municipal president Román Alberto Cepeda launched a scathing verbal attack against journalist Camelia Muñoz, a collaborator of Proceso, during an interview regarding observations by the Superior Audit of the Federation on the 2022 public account. The mayor's press chief, Cristal Barrientos, also joined in, aggressively confronting and physically assaulting the reporter.
The confrontation unfolded amidst the backdrop of the total solar eclipse coverage at the Planetarium Torreón, a significant event where prominent officials, including the governor of Coahuila, Manolo Jiménez Salinas, and the mayor of Lagunero, were present. As Muñoz sought answers from the mayor regarding alleged irregularities in the municipal resource management highlighted by the audit, she faced hostility and aggression from the municipal president.
The exchange turned hostile when Cepeda questioned Muñoz's motives, demanding to know who had sent her. In a further escalation, Barrientos, the mayor's press officer, physically intervened by forcibly pushing the journalist and attempting to strike her, narrowly missing her as she evaded the assault.
Amidst the chaos, Barrientos identified herself as the mayor's press officer and warned the journalist sternly to show respect, threatening repercussions and asserting the mayor's authority.
The distressing incident unfolded before the eyes of other officials and members of the press in attendance, overshadowing the astronomical event and highlighting the challenges faced by journalists seeking accountability and transparency in their reporting.
The clash between public officials and the press underscores the broader issues of press freedom and the safety of journalists in Mexico, raising concerns about the intimidation and aggression faced by reporters simply in the pursuit of their professional duties.
Women Press Freedom stands in solidarity with Camelia Muñoz and condemns the aggressive verbal attack against her. We demand a thorough investigation into these threats and hold those responsible for verbally assaulting the journalist while performing her journalistic duties accountable. As the fallout from this confrontation reverberates, it serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of upholding press freedom and safeguarding the rights of journalists to carry out their work free from threats or reprisals. In Mexico, where journalists face constant physical threats and assaults, such actions exacerbate the already challenging environment for independent reporting. We call on the Mexican government to implement regulations to safeguard journalists and uphold media freedom.
WPF expresses solidarity with Anabel Hernández and Reyna Ramírez, who were singled out by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador during a press conference.
Women Press Freedom expresses profound alarm at judicial decisions granting freedom to a former governor and a former police chief accused of torturing investigative journalist Lydia Cacho.
WPF vehemently condemns the intimidation and obstruction faced by journalists Yessica Ayala and Joselyn Meneses at the hands of fifteen residents in San Jerónimo Coyula, Atlixco, Puebla.
WPF firmly supports Anabel Hernández, who says President Andrés Manuel López Obrador's administration is imposing censorship on her latest book, 'The Secret History: AMLO and the Sinaloa Cartel’.
WPF stands resolutely behind Fabiola Cortés Miranda, an investigative journalist affiliated with the independent media outlet Periodismo en Colectivo and human rights organization Somos tus Ojos.
WPF stands in full support of Stephanie Palacios, who received threats on social media after asking President Andrés Manuel López Obrador during the morning press conference about alleged sanctions against journalists.
A multimillion-dollar lawsuit against Claudia Amelia Solera raises serious concerns over the use of judicial mechanisms to inhibit and intimidate journalistic work.
WPF is appalled by the recent events in Torreón, Mexico, where journalist Camelia Muñoz faced egregious attacks while performing her duties.
WPF unequivocally stands in solidarity with esteemed journalist Laura Brugés following her sudden termination from Radio Formula.
WPF strongly condemns the arrest of five women journalists in Zacatecas and the physical assault of at least three others in various regions of Mexico while covering International Women's Day marches.
WPF strongly condemns Mexico's President, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, for justifying his decision to disclose the phone number of Natalie Kittroef, the New York Times Bureau Chief for Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, by asserting that the legal prohibition on officials sharing personal information does not apply to him.
CFWIJ and WPF is deeply concerned about the recent government data breach in Mexico, which has exposed the personal information of hundreds of journalists.
CFWIJ and WPF condemns the recent judicial verdict exonerating the lone defendant in the Pegasus Spyware case involving the esteemed journalist Carmen Aristegui.
WPF strongly condemns the egregious and unacceptable acts of sexual and psychological violence perpetrated against the journalists, and sisters, Natalie and Michelle Hoyos López by police officers in Puebla, Mexico.
CFWIJ and WPF stands in unwavering solidarity with Cinthya Alvarado Enríquez, an independent journalist bravely undertaking a hunger strike in response to the delayed reparation of damages she suffered.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom condemns the online smear campaign targeting journalist Reyna Haydee Ramírez.
Armed men in the violence-plagued state of Guerrero kidnapped Journalist Silvia Nayssa Arce, her husband Alberto Sánchez, and journalist Marco Antonio Toledo with his wife and son on November 19 and 22 respectively.
Journalist Sandy Guadalupe González Rodríguez, a reporter for Canal 5TV, received threatening messages from Mayela Sánchez Román, assistant to deputy Luis Humberto Aldana Navarro, in Chetumal, Quintana Roo.
Rosario Martínez De la Vega, a correspondent for Los Angeles Press in Guanajuato, was intimidated by an alleged police agent.
Following Claudia Isela Hernández Pérez’ live broadcast reporting on the murder of businesswoman Angela Louise Birkenbach, the journalist was sent several threats by a fake online profile.
Estrella Pedroza, a Mexican journalist and regular contributor to the progressive daily La Jornada, was assaulted by approximately ten police officers.
Former Tamaulipas Governor, Francisco Cabeza de Vaca, issued legal threats against journalist Martha Olivia López following her publication on the discovery of human remains in clandestine graves on his property.
Governor and Secretary of Government in Oaxaca attacks journalist María Nivón Molano at a press conference, accusing her of lying after reporting on the escalating violence in the state.
Journalist María Luisa Estrada Hernández escapes an assassination attempt in Guadalajara after authorities refuse to protect her.
Investigative journalist María Teresa Montaño Delgado was kidnapped and threatened due to her exposé of corruption allegations involving the misappropriation of millions of taxpayer funds by the State of Mexico (Edomex).
Yessenia Mollinedo Falconi and Sheila Johana García Olivera, the director and a reporter of online news portal El Veraz, respectively, were shot dead outside a convenience store in broad daylight.
Television host Michelle Perez Tadeo was found dead in Mexico City on February 22, 2002.
Journalist Lourdes Maldonado López was shot by unidentified assailants while she was in her car.
Women Press Freedom is an initiative by The Coalition For Women In Journalism
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.