UNESCO chief urges investigation into murder of Mexican journalist

The head of the United Nations agency tasked with defending press freedom today condemned the murder of Mexican crime reporter and called for an investigation into the attacked that killed him and a former municipal police officer.

“I am appalled by the murder of Adrián Silva Moreno and Misray López González,” said the Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Irina Bokova.

“It is essential that the perpetrators of this crime be brought to justice. Violence against journalists in Mexico has reached an intolerable level,” she added in a news release.

On 14 November, Mr. Silva Moreno was reportedly shot dead in his car while covering an investigation into the theft of gasoline from Government-owned pipelines in the town of Tehuacán, in central Mexico. His passenger, Misray López González, was killed as he tried to flee the reporter’s car.

“I call for firm action to enable media workers in Mexico to carry out their professional duties which are essential to democracy and rule of law,” Ms. Bokova said. “The basic human right of freedom of expression must be defended, alongside press freedom, its corollary.”

Mr. Silva Moreno’s killing brings to seven the number of journalists and media workers murdered in Mexico over the past year, according to UNESCO.