Radio Formula abruptly terminates Brugés contract shortly after press officer accuses journalist of participating in anti-government campaign

Location: Mexico, Mexico City

Date: March 20, 2024

Women Press Freedom unequivocally stands in solidarity with esteemed journalist Laura Brugés following her sudden termination from Radio Formula. It is extremely worrying that her termination occurred shortly after the journalist was accused of participating in an anti-government media campaign, which was notably devoid of substantiation, during a governmental press conference. This action violates her labor rights and raises serious concerns about the influence of political power on media independence. Women Press Freedom calls for an immediate and thorough examination of the circumstances leading to Brugés’ dismissal, advocating for measures that protect journalists from baseless accusations and ensure their rights to free expression and fair treatment are unequivocally upheld.

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“Today, after being defamed during President López Obrador's morning conference, I was summoned to the offices of Grupo Formula, where I was informed that I would no longer be part of the company,” says Brugés on being abruptly terminated from her position at Radio Formula.

The decision to terminate her employment occurred shortly after her name was mentioned during a morning press conference by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) as part of a segment titled 'Who is who in the lies,' hosted by Elizabeth García Vilchis. During the conference, press officer Vilchis accused Brugés of engaging in a media campaign against the AMLO administration without substantiating these claims with evidence. 

Brugés — who exposed in 2023 that a candidate for Head of Government of Mexico City purchased a property where she resides for a mere $19.70 — denied the accusations, stating she was added to a chat group to monitor political developments and challenging anyone to provide evidence of receiving money for such activities.

“It is a chat in which they added me, as in other multiple chats that I am in from various parties, I agreed to monitor the development of political campaigns and where the conversation is going. But I didn't know it was a crime to be in one. I challenge you, if you have proof that I receive money, show it to me! Because that is called slander and moral damage.” says Brugés. 

Following Vlichis's accusation, Brugés was summoned under false pretenses to her company's offices, where the HR manager presented her with details of a severance package. The journalist’s immediate supervisor removed her from various WhatsApp groups where daily work assignments were distributed. She has accused the company of hastily carrying out her dismissal without informing the union in an attempt to pressure her into resigning and prevent her from defending herself.

Brugés believes her firing may have been influenced by government pressure, hinting at a possible connection with her critical journalistic work.

The unfolding controversy sheds light on the complex relationship between journalists, government officials, and media organizations in Mexico. Brugés' dismissal serves as a stark reminder of the risks journalists face in their pursuit of truth and transparency in the face of political power dynamics. In Mexico, there is a significant price to pay for freely expressing opinions and thoughts. Journalists who report on sensitive political stories or crime, particularly at the local level, are frequently warned, threatened, and tragically, even killed. Some are abducted and disappear without a trace, while others are forced to flee to other regions of the country or seek refuge abroad in order to safeguard their lives. President López Obrador has failed to implement the necessary reforms to address this pervasive violence and culture of impunity.

Women Press Freedom vehemently condemns the manner in which Laura Brugés was accused and dismissed, a process marked by a distressing lack of evidence and due process. The accusation made during a governmental press conference was notably devoid of substantiation. This baseless allegation not only undermines the principles of fairness and justice but also highlights a dangerous propensity towards silencing dissenting voices under the guise of combating misinformation. 

The actions taken against Brugés following the accusation — her immediate summons and dismissal, the hasty removal from professional communication platforms, and the presentation of a severance package under circumstances suggesting an attempt to silence her — speak to a broader, alarming trend of using power to intimidate and suppress journalists. This form of retribution, executed without a transparent investigation or the opportunity for Brugés to defend herself, sets a chilling precedent for press freedom in Mexico and beyond.

Women Press Freedom demands a prompt and comprehensive review of the events that resulted in Brugés’ firing, pushing for actions that safeguard journalists against unfounded charges and guarantee their rights to freedom of speech and just treatment are steadfastly protected.

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