Murder of Mexican journalist sparks outrage from UNESCO head

The head of the United Nations agency mandated to defend press freedom today condemned the shooting of Alejandro Xenón Fonseca Estrada, a Mexican radio journalist and activist who campaigned against organized crime.

The journalist, 33, hosted a local radio programme called El Padrino (“The Godfather”). On 23 September in Villahermosa, Tabasco, he was putting up stickers criticizing abductions when he was shot by people in a truck who asked what he was doing with the stickers.

“He was targeted for exercising free speech, a fundamental human right, which shows how important freedom of expression and press freedom are to democracy and rule of law,” said Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

“I trust that the authorities will spare no effort in bringing to justice those behind this reprehensible crime,” he added.