# Press freedom and journalist safety in Mexico > Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/press-freedom-and-journalist-safety-in-mexico > Updated: 2026-10-26T17:39:52.000Z. Sources: 11. Developments: 3. Journalists and human rights defenders in Mexico continue to face an escalation of physical violence and judicial harassment. Since 2018, 78 journalists and 259 human rights defenders have been killed, contributing to the country’s reputation as a lethal environment. Reported aggressions include arbitrary detentions, forced disappearances, torture, and the use of military-grade spyware. Parallel to physical threats, there is a documented rise in legal pressure. Data from Article 19 shows that in 2025, the number of lawsuits against media outlets tripled compared to the previous year, with 69 cases reported in the first seven months alone. Approximately 74 percent of these legal actions were initiated by public officials or political candidates, often utilizing electoral laws to demand the removal of publications or public apologies. This trend is exemplified by the case of the newspaper Tribuna in Campeche, where a court barred editor Jorge Luis González from journalistic activities for two years and required judicial review of content, a move critics describe as prior censorship. Recent developments indicate a broader rise in political violence and intimidation. In Mexico City, TV Azteca presenter Antonio Betancourt reported receiving death threats from individuals claiming to work for a local mayor following a traffic accident. Furthermore, new federal regulations proposed by President Claudia Sheinbaum aimed at protecting viewer rights have raised concerns regarding increased state intervention in media disputes. Expanding on the long-term trend of violence, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) reported in October 2026 that 169 journalists have been murdered in Mexico over the last 20 years, averaging eight killings per year. RSF noted that 99 percent of these crimes remain unsolved. ## Claims - Eleven people and three companies have been linked to a legal process regarding the deaths of Miguel Ángel Rojas and Berenice Giles. (reported by 4 sources) - The deaths occurred on April 5, 2025, during the Axe Ceremonia festival. (reported by 3 sources) - A structure collapsed from a scissor lift during the event. (reported by 2 sources) - The scissor lift was used for functions and loads it was not designed for. (reported by 2 sources) - Operadora Eclectic is linked to the responsibility for both deaths. (reported by 2 sources) - An agreement with the family of Berenice Giles modified the scope of the criminal charges for most defendants. (reported by 1 source) - The defendants will undergo the legal process in freedom. (reported by 1 source) - The judge set a three-month deadline for the conclusion of the complementary investigation. (reported by 1 source) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-26: Journalists face various forms of aggression and threats in Latin America Media professionals in Argentina, Peru, Honduras, and Mexico report rising incidents of physical assault, verbal intimidation, and institutional neglect affecting press freedom. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/journalists-and-media-personalities-report-physical-attacks-and-death-threats ### 2026-09-30: Mexico faces rising violence and legal pressure against journalists Journalists and human rights defenders in Mexico face increasing violence and legal harassment, with reports documenting hundreds of killings and a rise in judicial processes initiated by public officials. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mexico-faces-rising-violence-and-legal-pressure-against-journalists ### 2026-09-28: Mexico sees surge in lawsuits targeting journalists and media Mexico is seeing a threefold increase in lawsuits against journalists, as legal actions and judicial censorship emerge as new tools to pressure the press alongside physical violence. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mexico-sees-surge-in-lawsuits-targeting-journalists-and-media --- Cite as: Press freedom and journalist safety in Mexico. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/press-freedom-and-journalist-safety-in-mexico