Mexican media sets guidelines for ongoing drug war

By Catholic Online
3/26/2011
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

Criminals cannot be portrayed 'as victims or public heroes'

The ongoing drug war in Mexico has claimed thousands of lives - and the media there is agreeing on new principles on how this will be reported in print, television and radio. Among the 10-point agreement that was reached this week, the media will make sure that drug cartel leaders "are not seen as victims or public heroes" and they cannot use the media for propaganda purposes.

Some media outlets declined to sign the accord. Officials from Mexico's Reforma are quoted as saying the newspaper 'has . its own mechanism for editorial policy.'

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LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Many of Mexico's largest news media outlets met fro the agreement. Mexico's two dominant television networks, along with radio and newspaper groups, signed the 10-point agreement in Mexico City.

The accord is partially aimed at tightening control over the publication of gruesome images from the drug war. Another guideline calls on journalists not to publish information that places at risk "the viability of actions and raids against organized crime."

The agreement also seeks to improve protection for journalists covering stories related to the drug war. Twenty-two journalists have been among the more than 35,000 people who have been killed in drug-related violence since President Felipe Calderon took office in late 2006 and began a crackdown on the cartels.

Some media outlets declined to sign the accord. Officials from Mexico's Reforma are quoted as saying the newspaper "has . its own mechanism for editorial policy."

The Committee to Protect Journalists has said Mexico is one of the world's most dangerous countries for the press.

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Keywords: Mexico, media, drug war, policies

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