UNESCO head speaks out against murder of Mexican reporter

The head of the United Nations agency tasked with upholding press freedom today condemned the killing of a radio presenter in Mexico, stressing that the murder affects the whole of Mexican society.

The body of Fabián Ramírez López, 42, was found in the coastal city of Mazatlán on 11 October after an anonymous telephone call to La Magia 97.1, the radio station where he worked. He had last been seen two days earlier on his way to the station.

“It is essential for democracy and rule of law that journalists and media workers should be able to continue exercising the basic human right of freedom of expression without fearing for their lives,” said Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

According to the International Press Institute, a non-governmental organization, six journalists have been killed in Mexico so far this year, making the country one of the most dangerous in the world for media professionals.