The Special Prosecutor’s Office for Attention to Crimes committed against Freedom of Expression (Feadle) has brought before the courts only 21% of the attacks against the press that it investigates, with only 35 convictions over 13 years.
The Feadle, an organization belonging to the Attorney General of the Republic (FGR), indicates that between July 5, 2010 and April 2023, a total of 1,629 inquiries have been initiated for various federal crimes committed against journalists or media, of which criminal action was brought in 344 cases (21%).
While in 416 cases (25.5%) this prosecutor determined not to pursue criminal action, either because the victim granted pardon (96 cases); due to the death of the defendant (four cases) or because he declared that the case was not within his jurisdiction or there was no case to investigate (316 files).
In his most recent statistical report, he also indicated that these inquiries contemplate a total of 1,942 victims; 1,500 men, 54 media outlets and 388 women journalists. Regarding the latter, it was detailed that of the total files initiated in the Feadle (1,629), only 358 files are investigations in which direct female victims are involved.
It is thus that throughout 13 years, the authority in charge of investigating the crimes committed against those who exercise journalistic activity, has achieved only 35 convictions (2.1% of the total number of inquiries); including five for direct attacks against women journalists.
The most recent sentences were handed down in the states of Sonora, where a sentence of three days in prison and economic compensation was handed down as compensation for injuries against a journalist. While in Quintana Roo, six months in prison and a 30-day fine were handed down, and financial compensation as reparation for the damage; in addition to accrediting a course on freedom of expression from the CNDH, suspension of his political rights and reprimand against an official for injuries and crimes against freedom of expression.
In Yucatán, an official who committed abuse of authority against another communicator was sentenced to two years and three months in prison and a 14-day fine and dismissal from office.
Refuses to investigate 66% of murders
Feadle pointed out that from the year 2000 to date, it has reported 101 homicides of journalists, however, in 66 cases representing 66.0%, it found no relationship between the aggression and the journalistic work of the victim, therefore that incompetence was determined.
Of the 34 records of homicides of journalists derived from their activity, 12 are pending; two were determined not to exercise criminal action; one is in reserve, seven were accumulated and criminal action was brought in 12.
Meanwhile, there are 170 arrest warrants against presumed perpetrators, 29 for homicides of journalists, and 770 hearings have been held.
Feadle records that of the total number of inquiries it carries out, 46.8% are for threats, followed by abuse of authority (13%) and injuries (7.7%).
