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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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Mexico's Drug Lords Target Reporters

Station attack comes with clear message to drop coverage

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(Newser) – The epidemic of violence related to Mexico's drug trade has spilled over into media coverage of the situation, with drug lords attempting to scare journalists out of doing their jobs. Mexico is one of the most dangerous places in the world for reporters, reports the Christian Science Monitor: Eleven died in 2008. A TV station received a blunt message this week in the form of a grenade and a note that read "Stop reporting on us."

Some journalists have dropped their bylines for anonymity, and many others have shunned the drug beat. The government—itself responsible for many threats—has dragged its feet on protective action. "We risk becoming a blind and deaf country, because the messengers are not telling us what they are observing out of sheer fear," says a legislator.

Officials examine a car related to an attack on the offices of the television company Televisa in Monterrey, Mexico.
Officials examine a car related to an attack on the offices of the television company Televisa in Monterrey, Mexico.   (AP Photo)
A man walks past bullet holes, top left, left after an attack on the offices of the television company Televisa in Monterrey, Mexico.
A man walks past bullet holes, top left, left after an attack on the offices of the television company Televisa in Monterrey, Mexico.   (AP Photo/Monica Rueda)
Journalists are increasingly being targeted by drug traffickers, a situation worsened by the Mexican government's unwillingness to protect free media.
Journalists are increasingly being targeted by drug traffickers, a situation worsened by the Mexican government's unwillingness to protect free media.   (AP Photo/Guillermo Arias)
Mexico has become one of the most dangerous places for journalists to work.
Mexico has become one of the most dangerous places for journalists to work.   (imaginacionversatil)
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Newser001
Jan 8, 09 5:45 PM CST
Mexico is completely out of control; cartel wriddled, dishonest and untrustworthy, military, police, politicians, civil servants, all on the take. An obsessively violent society which has become numb from excessive exposure to the sick sadistically behaviors; murders, kidnappings, etc - Corrupt to the bone. There are decent Mexicans, Latinos, but unfortunately their government(s) allowed this to fester and propagate uncontrolled, and in many cases, assisted. All this and more is slowly making its way into the States... The future... All of the America's are digressing in to cartel driven chaos and madness. Reply
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MrSoul
Jan 8, 09 6:08 PM CST
The States are responsible for festering and meddling in Latin American political, economic, and social affairs for over two centuries. It has sponsored with money, intelligence and military aid governments which destroyed any foundations of democracy and transparency which once existed or could have existed and it has meddled in economic affairs in ways that secure the current status quo of a dominant and hegemonic US versus a weak and unstable Latin America. By the way, where do you think most of the cartels' buyers are? And also, do you know which is the largest and most powerful cartel in the world? Your lovely FDA with the DEA acting as its armed branch. Manifest Destiny, the Monroe Doctrine, Cuba, Mexico, Panama, Ecuador, Chile, Venezuela, Argentina, Paraguay, etc etc. The madness comes from the north, my friend. And it has perpetuated this long only because it is convenient to those in power, both up there and down here.
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Zebraone
Jan 9, 09 12:48 AM CST
How many of of our politicians use nose candy?~~~~ If the truth were told, the citizens of this country would revolt in a minute!~~~~One of these days. the U.S. IS GOING TO CLEAN OUT THE RATS NEST that mexico has become!~~~ Reply
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media • Mexico • free speech • threats • Mexican drug war • journalists killed • drug cartel • Committee to Protect Journalists • narco-terrorism • Monterrey

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