Mexico faces rising violence and legal pressure against journalists

Reports indicate a significant escalation in the persecution of journalists and human rights defenders in Mexico. Research from the University of California, Berkeley, documents that since 2018, 78 journalists and 259 human rights defenders have been killed, characterizing the country as one of the most lethal environments for these groups. The study details various forms of aggression, including arbitrary detentions, forced disappearances, torture, and the use of digital surveillance tools and military-grade spyware.

Complementing these findings, data from ARTICLE 19 shows a rise in judicial and administrative processes against the press. In the first seven months of 2025, 69 journalists and media outlets faced legal actions, averaging one case every six days. A majority of these cases—approximately 74 percent—were initiated by public officials or political candidates. The reports highlight that electoral law is frequently used to impose rapid measures, such as ordering the removal of publications or requiring public apologies, which serves to stifle reporting through legal and economic exhaustion.