RSF Warns of Stalled Progress on Journalist Protection Under Sheinbaum
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) issued a warning on Thursday, stating that no meaningful progress has been made in safeguarding journalists during the first two years of President Claudia Sheinbaum’s term. During this period, 18 journalists were killed, while only six of the 22 press freedom pledges made during her campaign show any movement. According to RSF’s annual report, five of those commitments have delivered minimal results.
The findings were unveiled in Mexico City, where Bia Barbosa, RSF’s Latin America director, stressed that just one of the 22 promises received full approval. That progress came from training provided to state officials on journalist protection. Barbosa noted that ten commitments lack verifiable results, two have seen institutional backsliding, and four remain unassessed due to insufficient data. “We are deeply troubled that after two years, less than a third of the necessary safeguards have been put in place,” she said.
RSF emphasized that journalist safety and combating impunity remain urgent priorities. Despite initial legislative efforts, Mexico retains its status as the deadliest country for journalists in Latin America and among the most dangerous worldwide outside war zones. Since 2006, the organization has documented at least 169 journalist murders, with only 1% of cases ever resolved or leading to convictions. Nearly one-third of those killed were also subjected to torture.
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Thibaut Bruttin, RSF’s director general, demanded immediate action during a press conference, framing journalist killings as “a defining tragedy of the 21st century.” He met with Mexican officials, including Interior Secretary Rosa Icela Rodríguez, to address press freedom concerns. While acknowledging some institutional efforts, Bruttin warned that meetings and policy statements do not prevent journalist deaths. “Government presentations may highlight initiatives and discussions, but journalists continue to be murdered,” he stated.
Barbosa also highlighted the plight of missing journalists, with 29 cases unresolved. The Prosecutor’s Office categorizes them as victims of unlawful detention rather than disappearances. “This represents one of Mexico’s most distressing situations,” she said. “No progress has been made in locating them, and impunity remains absolute.”
In the 2026 World Press Freedom Index, Mexico ranked 122nd out of 180 nations, reflecting a dire state of press freedom despite Sheinbaum’s government adopting 22 commitments in 2024. The assessment focused on five critical areas, with protection and impunity measures receiving the closest scrutiny. The lack of advancement in these domains raises serious concerns about journalist safety and the government’s response to press violence.
