http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-12855300
More than 40 major media groups in Mexico agreed on a set of guidelines regarding their reportage on the country's drug war. Mexico is one of the most dangerous countries for journalists, as 20 have been killed since 2006. The new set of guidelines aims to prevent further violence against journalists. The 10-point voluntary agreement states that newspapers and broadcasters should condemn organized criminal violence, and that they may not publish or broadcast cartel propaganda or any information that endangers military operations. President Felipe Calderon welcomed the agreement, and the International Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said it was a "breakthrough that could set professional standards well into the future." Critics, however, fear that the agreement opens the door to censorship.
The safety of journalists is an escalating concern as conflicts arise across the middle east. The CPJ reports that more than 300 attacks on journalists have been documented in the middle east since the beginning of the year. I wonder if the recent conflicts played a role in prompting Mexico to take such measures, and I am curious to know if any other countries will follow suit. I am curious to see the changes that develop in Mexican reporting.
Jessica Grant
Armel - 10AM discussion
I don't think there will be many changes. It is easy to sign an agreement, following it is a whole other story. It is obvious the the Mexican cartels can still influence and control the media to some degree. Hopefully they will move away from sensationalism and get back to accurate and balanced reporting of the violence.
ReplyDeleteArmel 10AM
Thomas Zabaleta
I think that it's a very fine line between censorship and freedom of speech when the media is concerned. Mexico has a reputation of media and government officials getting killed by the deadly drug cartels. Although, I dont think that journalists should be censored in the media, in Mexico it can help save lives. Mexican journalist shouldn't be perpetuating propaganda. Their broadcasts should be strictly for informational purposes. The media in Mexico are known to have either personal government agendas, or are afraid for their lives, so they air bias information in favor of the drug cartels. The new system set in place by the CPJ is a good idea to implement to Mexico. However, in other regions around the world, I don't agree that the media should be censored. Confidentiality is necessary to prevent violence but censorship is a strike against freedom of speech.
ReplyDeleteLauren Powers (Ryan 1pm Fridays)
I think it’s great that the agreement has been signed but that doesn't always been big and better changes for the country or even the journalists. Mexican cartels are clearly in control of the country and it is hard to tell when changes will take place. I think the more they are trying to be controlled the more they will rebel and cause more violence on their people and the Americans in that country.
ReplyDeleteRita Shabo
Ryan 1pm
Censoring journalists isn't the answer to protect them. Education is key to any problem. So putting more information out is the only way to stop these bad groups. Being able to censor information is going to help these cartels as well. Governments love to take away freedoms under the context of claiming to help others. Let's look at the Patriot Act....?
ReplyDelete-Lance Pisman
Ryan Maness 1pm
It's sad that this is major news. The violence in Mexico is certainly deplorable, but that a group of newspapers has come together to announce that they will now treat the news as a group of professionals as opposed to a group of sensationalists out to sell as opposed to report the news.
ReplyDeleteHonestly what the news orgs are saying is that they don't want to antagonize either the government or the cartels, and they want to protect civilians through their reporting. This just serves all the parties involved with notice. I really don't see the declaration itself as very important but the reasoning behind it says a lot.
Hugh Vondracek
Armel @1