Mexico: Former Governor Threatens Journalist Martha Olivia López with Lawsuit over Report on Uncovering Hidden Graves on His Property
The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns threats, demands the ex-governor stops misusing public resources
Location: Mexico City, Mexico
Date: August 25, 2023
Former Tamaulipas Governor, Francisco Cabeza de Vaca, issued legal threats against journalist Martha Olivia López following her publication on the discovery of human remains in clandestine graves on his property. The Coalition For Women In Journalism strongly condemns the use of threats to intimidate journalists and stifle media freedom, particularly when it hinders the publication of critical information about the actions of public officials. We urge Francisco Cabeza de Vaca to cease threatening statements against the press and refrain from misusing public resources to initiate legal proceedings against Martha Olivia López.
Martha Olivia López — director of the digital media En un 2×3, correspondent for Canal Catorce of the SPR, contributor to Astillero Informa and Rompeviento TV — is legally threatened by former Tamaulipas Governor Francisco Cabeza de Vaca. The former governor declared he intends to sue the reporter after she published a story about the discovery of human remains in clandestine graves on his property. The story is based on a March 2021 Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) report.
Cabeza de Vaca denies the allegations, saying on Twitter he reserves the right to take legal action against López.
López’s media outlet has become a source of discomfort for Cabeza de Vaca, who previously ignored their existence.
“I perceive this as an attempt to silence me,” the journalist says. “I feel that he does not want us to talk about it, but data contrasts his given information.”
“I perceive this as an attempt to silence me”
In Mexico, where the arbitrary use of regulations against the press has become all too common, such threatening rhetoric should have no place. Last year, ARTICLE 19 documented 32 instances of judicial harassment in Mexico.
Journalists not only face legal harassment for exposing corruption. CFWIJ documented how investigative journalist María Teresa Montaño Delgado was kidnapped and threatened earlier this year due to her investigative work on corruption allegations involving the misappropriation of millions of taxpayer funds by the State of Mexico (Edomex). Her case sheds light on the risks and dangers journalists in Mexico face when they expose corruption within public institutions.
The Coalition for Women in Journalism stands in solidarity with Martha Olivia López. We strongly denounce the use of legal actions as a means of intimidating and censoring journalists. We call upon the former governor to promptly drop all charges against López and cease misusing public resources to undermine press freedom.
We emphasize the importance of protecting journalists and ensuring their safety as they play a crucial role in holding those in power accountable and promoting transparency within society and call on the authorities to take appropriate measures to safeguard press freedom and support the work of investigative journalists in Mexico.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.