Mexico: Women Press Freedom Demands President Obrador End His Continued Attacks on Women Journalists
President accuses Anabel Hernández of ties to Drug Enforcement Agency, underplays harassment of Reyna Ramírez by his supporters
Location: Mexico, Mexico City
Date: August 13, 2024
Women Press Freedom expresses solidarity with Anabel Hernández and Reyna Ramírez, who were singled out by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador during a press conference. The President responded dismissively to journalist Reyna Ramírez's inquiry about his response to a June incident in which his supporters harassed her, leading her to flee the scene. Critics believe Obrador's combative stance towards the press exacerbated the situation. In a separate incident, President Obrador targeted journalist Anabel Hernández, suggesting she could be an informant for the DEA due to her investigative work on drug cartels—a dangerous accusation in a country plagued by drug violence. Obrador's allegations put these journalists at real risk in a nation known as the deadliest for journalists. We strongly condemn President Obrador's reckless rhetoric, targeting multiple women journalists as documented by Women Press Freedom over the past year. We express grave concerns about the safety of journalists in Mexico. The ongoing tensions between the government and the press highlight the obstacles faced by journalists striving to fulfill their duties amid increasing hostility. We call for President Obrador to issue a public apology and refrain from undermining press freedom. Additionally, we urge Mexican authorities to take decisive measures to protect press freedom and ensure the safety of journalists who risk their lives to report on matters of public importance.
During a press conference on August 13, 2024, journalist Reyna Ramírez directly addressed Mexico's President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, disclosing that his supporters had harassed her at a public event in June, prompting fears for her safety. Ramírez, who has been targeted by President Obrador before, as Women Press Freedom has documented, raised the alarm about the president's contentious language.
When asked about his intentions to address the issue, President Obrador responded dismissively to Ramírez's question regarding the incident, replying, "nothing, nothing, nothing.”
This exchange highlights the difficulties encountered by journalists in Mexico, a country where at least 150 journalists and media workers have been killed since 2000, earning Mexico the unfortunate title of the deadliest country for journalists.
In another incident, President Obrador singled out journalist Anabel Hernández, suggesting she could be a potential informant for the DEA because of her investigative reporting on drug cartels. Hernández criticized the president's accusations, emphasizing the dangers journalists encounter in Mexico.
President Obrador's confrontational approach towards the press has heightened verbal attacks on journalists. The president often accuses the media of bias and links to conservative groups, further inflaming tensions. Critics argue that this contributes to a polarized climate, putting journalists at risk of attacks and jeopardizing their well-being.
President Obrador's History of Harassing Women Journalists
Women Press Freedom has documented numerous occasions of President Obrador targeting women journalists with his verbal assaults and criticisms.
During the La Mañanera press conference on May 8, 2024, Stephanie Palacios challenged President Obrador regarding sanctions imposed on journalists for interrupting him during his daily briefings. This interaction led Palacios to voice worries about the treatment of journalists seeking to ask questions during the conference. Following the incident, Palacios revealed that her question had sparked ridicule online from the president's supporters.
Laura Brugés was dismissed from her position shortly after her name was cited during a morning press conference by President Obrador in March 2024. At the conference, a press officer for the president accused Brugés of orchestrating a media drive against the president's administration, though these claims were not substantiated with evidence.
On February 22, 2024, Natalie Kittroef, the New York Times Bureau Chief for Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, wrote a letter to President López Obrador of Mexico seeking his input on a U.S. investigation into claims that individuals linked to him had received money from drug traffickers. In the letter, Kittroef shared her contact details, including her phone number, for future correspondence. However, during a routine press briefing, the President exhibited and read out the letter, inadvertently disclosing Kittroef's phone number to the public.
While President Obrador asserts transparency in media interactions, his administration displays a bias towards friendly news outlets during press briefings. The president's practices, including revealing journalists' financial and personal information, have sparked global criticism.
Press freedom advocates, the U.S. Department of State and the Organization of American States, have all expressed worries about the safety of journalists in Mexico.
Women Press Freedom unequivocally supports Reyna Ramírez and Anabel Hernández. We strongly denounce President Obrador's irresponsible rhetoric and assaults on journalists. In a nation like Mexico, where journalists frequently face life-threatening risks for their work, it is appalling that those in authority exploit their positions to exacerbate attacks on press freedom instead of protecting it. We call for President Obrador to issue public apologies to both Ramirez and Hernández. Journalists must have the freedom to hold those in power accountable and fulfill their duties without being singled out or endangered.
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.