Press Freedom

Freedom of press has always been an issue worldwide. It is usually an issue in 3rd world countries or countries with oppressive governments, military. Some of these countries are Russia, China, Cambodia, South Africa, and most recently Mexico. Recently the main newspaper is Cuildad Juarez has written an editorial to the drug Cartels asking them what they want, what they want them to publish or not publish to keep their journalists safe.
Most of the time freedom of press is limited by the government. In Mexico it is the drug cartels. Various newspapers have called it “narco-censorship”. Since the drug war “officially” started in 2006 over 30 journalists have been killed with many cases going unsolved and bodies never being recovered, making it one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists. Many stories about the cartels, murders and mass graves go unreported out of fear for journalist’s lives. The real issues are not being reported to the countries people and the rest of the world.
On September 22, 2010, President Felipe Calderon, realizing the grave issues going on in his country, vowed to push for legislation to make attacks on journalists, free expression, and reporters a federal crime. “We categorically reject any attack against journalists because this is an assault against democratic society," Calderon said. "It pains me that Mexico is seen as one of the most dangerous places for the profession."

Bicentennial Mexico

In a week marked by the murder of a journalist, media pleas to end violence, floods, and a hurricane, celebrations were underway for the 200-year anniversary of independence, which was gained on September 16, 1810. The parades were described as a mix between a World Cup celebration and the Olympics combined. Included in the celebration was the unveiling of a 104-yard tall arch made of steel and covered in quartz that will be on a main street in Mexico City. There was also the unveiling of a 245-acre park in Guadalajara.
As the drug trade and violence gets worse along our border, the main newspaper in Ciudad Juarez has called for a truce with the cartels as one of it reporters, Luis Carlos Santiago Orozco, was murdered. The “El Diario” asked the cartels what they want them to publish or not publish to keep their employees safe. In 2010 alone over 2,000 people have been killed in Juarez leading the newspaper the say that the cartels are the “de facto authority” in northern Mexico. The newspaper has given up its right to free speech out of fear of the drug cartels. With over 4,200 police and military personnel in Juarez one would think that things would be getting safer, but they are not.
The hurricane Karl death toll is now up to 16 as schools have closed due to massive flooding and mudslides in southern Mexico. Most of the flooding has been in the Veracruz state where there had already been flooding in past weeks. Looting has also broken out around the state.

Mexico's Dilemma

Drug trafficking has always been a concern to the Mexican and American people. In recent years it has become more than just a concern, it has become an issue. Checkpoints set up to protect the Mexican people are now being used by corrupt police and military officials to make a profit. Drug cartels are posing as military personnel and extorting people for their money or their lives. The Mexican people have an extremely hard decision on their hands: drive through their own country to earn a living and run the risk of becoming another body discovered in a mass grave, or stay home in a somewhat safer place.
Traveling throughout Northern Mexico has become a huge risk. On Monday September 6, 2010, soldiers fired at a car passing through a checkpoint killing 2 people, including a fifteen-year-old boy. This is not the first time this has happened this year. According to some sources, the car drove through the checkpoint without stopping, but survivors in the car claim they had stopped and were just driving off when the soldiers opened fire. This is the dilemma the people of Mexico have to face when driving virtually anywhere in Northern Mexico.
On a weekly basis we hear stories of mass graves being dug up along the U.S. border, police shootouts with the drug cartels and violence being inflicted among innocent people. Behind this violence is one of the most notorious drug lords, Edgar Valdez Villarreal (also know as “El Barbie”). He was captured near Mexico City in late August. There was another cartel leader captured along with Edgar Valdez Villarreal. They both did something uncharacteristic of cartel leaders; they surrendered.