Mexican Reporter Threatened After Covering Controversial Construction Project in Sinaloa

February 04, 2026 – Mexico –

A local freelance journalist in Sinaloa has been threatened after reporting on alleged irregularities tied to a major construction project, prompting condemnation from press freedom advocates who say the intimidation underscores enduring risks for reporters covering infrastructure and corruption issues in regions dominated by organised crime and political interests. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) documented the incident in early February 2026, calling on authorities to investigate and ensure the journalist’s safety.

The reporter, whose name has been withheld for security reasons, was working on a series of articles about delays and contractual disputes surrounding a local public works project in the municipality when unknown individuals confronted him and issued verbal threats linked directly to his coverage. According to CPJ, the men warned him to cease reporting, asserting that his work was “troubling local business interests,” and hinted at potential consequences if he continued to publish.

The journalist had previously documented procurement concerns and raised public questions about the transparency of the tender process. Sources told CPJ that he received anonymous phone calls and messages before the face-to-face threat — signs of escalating intimidation that align with other cases in Mexico where reporters covering public works projects have faced harassment, legal pressure, or violence.

Local authorities were notified of the incident, but CPJ noted that no formal investigations or protective measures had been announced at the time of reporting, leaving the journalist feeling vulnerable. Press freedom groups emphasised that failure to respond swiftly to threats can erode public confidence in state protection mechanisms and embolden actors who seek to silence critical reporting.

Mexico remains one of the most dangerous countries for journalists in the Western Hemisphere, with reporters frequently targeted for covering crime, corruption, and governance. Although improvements in some regions have been noted, press freedom organisations report persistent impunity for attacks against media workers and chronic under-protection for freelancers who lack institutional backing.

In its statement, CPJ urged federal and state authorities to conduct a thorough, transparent investigation into the threat, to provide security assurances for the reporter, and to reinforce protections that enable journalists to work without fear of retaliation. The organisation also encouraged local newsrooms and civil society groups to stand in solidarity, underlining that ensuring safety for individual journalists supports broader freedom of expression norms.

The incident draws attention to the precarious environment in which many journalists operate in Sinaloa and other regions involving powerful economic and political stakeholders, where reporting on sensitive topics such as public expenditure can intersect with criminal influence and raise personal safety concerns for press workers.

As the situation develops, CPJ and allied organisations continue to monitor journalist safety in Mexico and advocate for accountability and protective action to prevent similar intimidation tactics from deterring independent reporting.

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Mexican reporter threatened after covering construction project in Sinaloa