Mexico has emerged as the most dangerous country in Latin America for lethal violence against the press in 2025, according to the 'Structures of Silence' report released by the international watchdog Artículo 19.
The investigation details that seven murders and one disappearance of media professionals have been recorded on Mexican soil so far this year. The report, published by eluniversal.com.mx, warns that reporting in the country continues to involve extreme risks.
Alongside Guatemala and Honduras, the region saw a total of 12 journalist murders this year. “Behind every case, there is a repeated pattern of impunity and a message that serves as a sinister warning to the rest of the profession,” the document states.
State Power Used as a Tool for Censorship
Beyond physical violence, the organization documented 451 attacks against the press in Mexico. Of these, 33.48% involved abuses of public power, while 44.12% were classified as part of a hostile environment.
Threats have become a constant in the field of journalism. In 2025, 112 cases of threats were recorded, meaning that in Mexico, a journalist is threatened every four days.
The report highlights 65 recorded cases of stigmatization, 60% of which originated from authorities or political parties. Such rhetoric can act as a mechanism that enables violence within contexts of impunity.
State machinery is also being used to pressure media outlets. A total of 67 journalists and media organizations faced legal proceedings in 2025, including electoral, criminal, civil, and administrative cases.
“The goal is not necessarily to obtain a conviction, but to punish journalistic practice through the legal process itself,” the Artículo 19 report indicates. Notably, 73.13% of these legal actions were initiated by officials or political actors.
Violence has also led to forced displacements in states like Michoacán, disrupting news coverage and causing psychosocial harm. In contrast, in states like Sinaloa, the report warns that a lack of recorded incidents may be due to self-censorship.
Regarding access to information, the organization reported a growing pattern of incomplete or non-existent responses from authorities. Furthermore, the new agency 'Transparency for the People' rejected 99.6% of the appeals received during its first months, citing alleged technical non-compliance.
