MEXICO CITY, Aug 3 (Reuters) – A Mexican journalist was killed in the central state of Guanajuato while working at his family’s bar, human rights organization Article 19 reported Wednesday, the latest fatality in a deadly year for the country’s media.
Ernesto Mendez, who led local outlet “Tu Voz,” had previously received threats, Article 19 said in a tweet. The organization said it subsequently called on local authorities to consider the crime as related to his work as a journalist.
“With Ernesto, that adds up to 13 murders of journalists in 2022, at least nine of those tied to their work,” Article 19 said.
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Local media reported that Mendez was killed in a shooting late on Tuesday along with three others, while two were wounded.
“It was a direct (attack),” Article 19 regional director Leopoldo Maldonado told Reuters.
The governor of Guanajuato condemned the killing on Twitter, referring to Mendez as a “businessman and journalist.”
Violence against media workers in Mexico has skyrocketed under the administration of current President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, according to a report by Article 19. read more
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Reporting by Kylie Madry and Lizbeth Diaz; Editing by Nick Macfie
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.