Mexico: Online Trolls Target Reyna Haydee Ramírez After Heated Exchange with President

Record increase in attacks on journalists since President López Obrador's election, with his daily press conferences fueling hostility

Location: Mexico, Mexico City
Date: December 13, 2023

The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom condemns the online smear campaign targeting journalist Reyna Haydee Ramírez. President López Obrador's persistent attacks on critical press during morning conferences fuel coordinated online assaults. In one of the world’s deadliest countries for journalists, these verbal assaults may escalate violence against the press. We urgently demand an end to offensive language and dangerous accusations by Mexican politicians against journalists.

During a press conference on December 13, 2023, journalist Reyna Haydee Ramírez questioned the actions of the Mexican State in response to the prevailing violence in the country. Her inquiry also included a direct challenge to President Andrés Manuel López Obrador regarding the reported reliance of citizens in Sonora on criminal groups for justice due to the perceived absence of the state. In response, President López Obrador dismissed the information as "inventions" and made insulting remarks against the Mexican press, characterizing it as "servile journalism" linked to economic power, corruption, and crime.

Following her intervention, Ramírez became the target of a coordinated smear campaign on social networks, attempting to discredit her journalistic work. The derogatory labels, such as "pseudojournalist," mirrored the language used by the president, undermining her critical role in scrutinizing government actions. The attacks against Ramírez also contained sexist content and gender violence, targeting not only her role in the press but also attacking her based on her womanhood.

Ramírez is a freelance reporter associated with Periodistas de a Pie network. She co-founded the organization Red Sonora de Periodistas, advocating for ethical journalism. With an extensive journalistic career, she has contributed to El Imparcial de Hermosillo and Grupo Reforma for nearly two decades.

This is not the first time Ramírez has been subjected to smear campaigns. On July 21, 2022, she expressed her disagreement with stigmatization and violence against the press by public power, which triggered a series of attacks against her.

Attacks against journalists have reached record levels in Mexico since the election of President López Obrador. Despite appearing to give the press unprecedented access to his administration with his daily press conferences, the leader has frequently used these events to attack journalists and media outlets. A Signa Lab of Iteso's report highlights the negative transformation of relations between government, society, and the media triggered by the President's morning press conferences. The report identifies coordinated attacks against those mentioned by the President or those who question him. In a country where five journalists have been killed in 2023, Mexico’s leader has also been accused of consistently minimizing acts of violence against the press.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom denounces the online campaign against seasoned journalist Reyna Haydee Ramírez. This latest incident highlights the negative repercussions facing journalists who challenge the President or are specifically mentioned in these daily meetings with the press. President López Obrador must cease attacks on journalists and foster an environment where the press can operate freely without fear of reprisal.

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.