Intimidation and threats targeting González expose the dangers faced by journalists covering local politics in the country

Location: Mexico, Quintana Roo
Date: November 1, 2023

Journalist Sandy Guadalupe González Rodríguez, a reporter for Canal 5TV, received threatening messages from Mayela Sánchez Román, assistant to deputy Luis Humberto Aldana Navarro, in Chetumal, Quintana Roo. The Coalition For Women In Journalism stands in solidarity with Sandy González and all journalists who face threats and intimidation in the course of their work. We call upon the international community to support and amplify the demands for justice and the protection of journalists' rights in Mexico. We demand authorities thoroughly investigate the threats and ensure accountability. 

On September 26, González reached out to Sánchez via WhatsApp, seeking to arrange an interview with Deputy Aldana at the State Congress. Receiving no response, she later coincidentally met the deputy and his team while covering Congressional activities. During this encounter, Sánchez confronted González in a manner described as intimidating, stating that the deputy “serves whomever he wants,” implying that such requests for interviews were inappropriate.

Despite González addressing this issue directly with Deputy Aldana and being reassured of its resolution, the matter did not end there. On October 21, in her ongoing journalistic duties, González sought confirmation from the Congress' social communications team regarding Sánchez as the contact for interviews with Deputy Aldana. Subsequently, she received threatening messages and a direct threat from Sánchez through WhatsApp.

These acts of intimidation and threats against González are deeply concerning and highlight the challenges faced by women journalists in Mexico. The Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has emphasized the specific threatening environments faced by women journalists, which restrict their work and impede their right to freedom of expression. The report also notes that journalists may resort to self-censorship in the face of violence, threats, or harassment.

Mexico is the most dangerous country for journalists outside of war zones, as 13 journalists were killed for their work in 2022, and five have been killed this year alone. Journalists who report on corruption and crime face the highest risk of being kidnapped, attacked, or killed. 

Although Mexico has implemented a protection mechanism and appointed a special prosecutor to investigate attacks on the media, reporters argue that these measures are not always sufficient. Achieving justice is often a challenging and elusive task. There is a strong likelihood that the government provides minimal protection for journalists. Investigating attacks on reporters in Mexico rarely leads to resolution, as investigators themselves are often either fearful of or complicit with the perpetrators.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism stands in solidarity with Sandy Guadalupe González Rodríguez and strongly condemns the threats faced by the journalist. We emphasize the importance of protecting the rights and safety of journalists, particularly women journalists who often face specific threats and challenges in their work. We call upon the Congress of Quintana Roo to facilitate the training of officials and individuals employed within the Congress on matters of human rights to ensure a safe environment for journalists. It is crucial that these incidents are taken seriously and immediate action is taken to address the threats. Protecting the freedom of the press and ensuring the safety of journalists is essential for a functioning democracy.  

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.