Journalists from “La Jornada” newspaper summoned and questioned about sources

(PFC/IFEX) – The Attorney General’s Office (Procuraduría General la República, PGR) has been violating journalists’ right to protect their sources by summoning a number of journalists from “La Jornada” newspaper. The individuals in question have been investigating corruption cases involving former president Carlos Salinas de Gortari and the alleged diversion of millions of pesos from […]

(PFC/IFEX) – The Attorney General’s Office (Procuraduría General la República, PGR) has been violating journalists’ right to protect their sources by summoning a number of journalists from “La Jornada” newspaper. The individuals in question have been investigating corruption cases involving former president Carlos Salinas de Gortari and the alleged diversion of millions of pesos from the Pétroleos Mexicanos (PEMEX) company to the Partido Revolucionario Institucional (PRI) party’s political campaign.

“La Jornada” journalists Enrique Méndez, Gustavo Castillo, Rubén Villalpando Andrea Becerril, Ciro Pérez, Roberto Garduño and Pedro Juárez Mejía were among those summoned by the PGR between March and November 2002.

Mexican journalists’ groups, organisations that defend freedom of expression and the National Human Rights Commission (Comision Nacional de Derechos Humanos, CNDH) have condemned the PGR’s action, calling it an intimidating practice. In a 19 November statement, CNDH President José Luis Soberanes Fernández referred to the summons as a “subtle persecution of ‘La Jornada’.”

The authorities’ main motivation for interrogating the journalists about their investigation is to find out who their sources are, which constitutes a direct attack on journalists’ right to not reveal their sources. Moreover, forcing journalists to appear before a court in connection with their investigation will have an intimidating effect on journalists and their sources, and may lead to self-censorship.

According to PFC, journalists already provide a valuable contribution by publishing their findings. The media has not only pointed to irregularities but also provided important information that allows governmental authorities to proceed with their inquiries.

PFC lamented the fact that in Mexico, a country where conditions have been favourable for the strengthening of democracy and human rights, a number of institutions, influential individuals and government officials, including President Vicente Fox, continue to maintain a hostile attitude toward the media, and moreover, have on more than one occasion blamed them for damaging their image.

This attitude is of even greater concern when it results in legal action being brought against journalists who refuse to supply the authorities with information or who are accused of insulting an official’s honour. Examples of this practice are the complaints faced by journalists from “Norte de Ciudad Juárez” daily (see IFEX alert of 24 November 2002), the director of “Lo Nuestro” daily in Cadereyta Jiménez, Nuevo Leon (see IFEX alert of 8 October 2002), journalist Isabel Arvide (see IFEX alert of 21 August 2002), and others.

It is not the role of governmental authorities to ensure that journalists and the media act ethically, professionally and independently – rather, this is the role of the press itself and the public. The state should ensure that there is free access to information, protect journalists and those who use information, and issue exemplary punishment against officials who contravene these ideals.

For further information on the case, see: http://portal-pfc.org/perseguidos/2002/100.html

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