Mexico: Governor Discredits Reporter María Nivón Molano For Exposing Femicide Rate
Journalist fears her life is at risk after politician’s public comments.
Location: Mexico, Oaxaca
Date: August 8, 2023
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. The Coalition For Women In Journalism is alarmed by the targeting of Molano, whose life could be at risk due to these baseless accusations. We demand the Oaxaca officials immediately retract their statements and ensure journalists are protected.
During a press conference on August 8, Governor Jara Cruz and the Secretary of Government in Oaxaca made statements and accusations against María Nivón Molano and her news agency Primera Línea MX, which she believes endanger her safety. Mexico remains the deadliest place in the world for press workers and inflammatory statements targeting journalists can have terrifying consequences.
A journalist for over 30 years, Molano says she has faced threats since 2020 because of her work. The most recent attacks follow a column the journalist wrote analyzing the insecurity situation in the state, using official data. Her article highlighted the deficiencies of the current government's security policies and questioned the allocation of resources for security.
Governor Jara accuses Molano of starting a "dirty war" and claims a former governor influences her media outlet's editorial line. The state officials also accuse Molano of lying about the figures of femicides and intentional homicides in Oaxaca.
Molano shared official documents and figures on Twitter to counter the claims. She says Oaxacan authorities restrict freedom of expression, even when she reports information obtained from federal institutions.
Molano has filed a complaint with the Oaxaca Human Rights Ombudsman. She plans to approach the Federal Protection Mechanism under the Secretary of the Interior to seek further protection, as she believes her life is at risk.
Mexican journalists investigating crime and corruption face incredible danger for exposing the truth. In July 2023, journalist María Luisa Estrada Hernández narrowly escaped an assassination attempt in Guadalajara after authorities refused to protect her.
Unfortunately, the Federal Protection Mechanism for journalists in Mexico has significant flaws, including insufficient funding and a staff shortage, leading to a failure to meet the urgent protection needs of journalists adequately. The escalating number of journalists seeking protection has overwhelmed limited resources. There is an urgent need for improved mechanisms with adequate funding, increased staffing, and better coordination among different levels of government to ensure the safety of journalists at risk.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism demands Governor Jara Cruz retract his statements discrediting Molano. We also strongly urge the Protection Mechanism for Human Rights Defenders and Journalists and the Human Rights Ombudsman of Oaxaca to take action to protect María Nivón Molano and ensure her safety.
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.
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