(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – The following is a 12 May 2008 ARTICLE 19 press release: ARTICLE 19 congratulates journalist Lydia Cacho and applauds the support shown to her by the international community in recognizing her investigative reporting. On 1 May 2008, in Maputo, the capital city of Mozambique, Lydia Cacho was awarded the 2008 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano […]
(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – The following is a 12 May 2008 ARTICLE 19 press release:
ARTICLE 19 congratulates journalist Lydia Cacho and applauds the support shown to her by the international community in recognizing her investigative reporting.
On 1 May 2008, in Maputo, the capital city of Mozambique, Lydia Cacho was awarded the 2008 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize. She was also granted the 2008 Freedom of Expression prize from the Journalists’ Union of Valencia, Spain.
Upon receiving the prize, Cacho said: “Perhaps this award will not protect me from death threats or even from being killed, but it will help me in my work and will bring greater public awareness to the issue of child pornography . . .”
In this context, ARTICLE 19 reiterates its call to the Mexican authorities to adopt every available measure to ensure Cacho’s safety, and to ensure that her persecutors do not go unpunished. The legal outcome of the case against her persecutors should live up to international norms regarding the defence of free expression.
The recognition given Cacho by the international community reflects growing international concern over the high level of impunity enjoyed by those who assault or kill journalists in Mexico. With every passing day the situation for media worsens in that country, undermining the right of Mexican citizens to be informed about matters of public importance.
For further information on the persecution of Cacho for her work, see: http://ifex.org/en/content/view/full/92874
