500 free speech advocates sign letter demanding Mexico’s president investigate journalist killings

More than 500 well-known writers, journalists, creative artists and supporters of free expression from across the globe signed an open letter calling on Mexico’s President Enrique Peña Nieto to end violence against the country’s journalists. “An attempt on the life of a journalist is an attack on society’s very right to be informed”, the letter said, which was posted to the US chapter of the PEN International website.

Since 2000, 88 journalists have been killed, according to Reporters Without Borders.

Below are excerpts outlining the letter’s demands: 

1. To guarantee the immediate and effective investigation of the assassination of Rubén Espinosa and the shameful number of journalists in Mexico who have met the same fate, and the thorough investigation of state and municipal officials who, in each case, may have been involved.

2. To undertake an immediate review of the procedures established to protect reporters’ lives, and to make a swift and effective commitment to guarantee and protect freedom of expression in Mexico.