ARTICLE 19 calls on the office of the Zacatecas Attorney General to investigate the murder of journalist Nolberto Herrera Rodríguez, looking into all possible motives, especially those that would connect the murder with Herrera's work as a journalist.
ARTICLE 19 has learned of the murder of journalist Nolberto Herrera Rodríguez, who worked as a cameraman, reporter, editor and producer for Canal 9 in the city of Zacatecas, Zacatecas state in northern Mexico.
Alfredo Valadez Rodríguez, a journalist and editor-in-chief for Canal 9, said that on Tuesday 29 July 2014, the body of Nolberto Herrera was found inside his home in Guadalupe, a city neighbouring Zacatecas.
“Nolberto was very hardworking. He was active; aside from producing a news programme, he also went out and reported on cultural and general interest topics,” said Valadez.
According to information from the Zacatecas Attorney General’s office, which was shared by Valadez, Herrera’s body was found with 20 stab wounds.
“Arturo Nahle García, the Attorney General, said that a possible motive was a crime of passion, but until all lines of investigation have been exhausted, a connection to his work as a journalist cannot be ruled out,” Valadez added.
ARTICLE 19 calls on the office of the Zacatecas Attorney General to investigate the murder of Herrera, looking into all possible motives, especially those that would connect the murder with Herrera’s work as a journalist.
ARTICLE 19 calls on the relevant judicial authorities to carry out an investigation that will lead to the sanctioning of those responsible and help to break the cycle of impunity that threatens the practice of journalism.
Since 2000, ARTICLE 19 has documented the assassinations of 78 journalists which were potentially linked to their work. Of these, 22 were killed during the Vicente Fox Quezada administration; 47 during Felipe Calderón Hinojosa’s term, and six under the current administration of Enrique Peña Nieto.
ARTICLE 19 considers it necessary that the Zacatecas authorities guarantee the safety of journalists in the region and establish a public policy for prevention that will ensure that people can exercise their right to freedom of expression.
