Journalists Threatened and Assaulted by Police in Mexico City and Sinaloa State

July 28, 2025 – Mexico –

Multiple journalists in both Mexico City and Sinaloa state have reported threats, intimidation, and physical assaults at the hands of police officers, according to press freedom organisations. The incidents occurred during recent coverage of protests and criminal investigations, exposing ongoing risks for media professionals working in high-risk areas.

In Mexico City, a police officer reportedly pushed and grabbed a journalist attempting to photograph a protest in the city’s central plaza. The officer allegedly confiscated the reporter’s phone and deleted footage capturing police misconduct during an arrest. The journalist was not allowed to retrieve their device or secure a copy of the material. Witnesses noted that the officer’s actions appeared to be aimed at suppressing evidence of abuse.

Separately, in Sinaloa state, another reporter covering a crime scene was verbally threatened and pushed by local police officers who accused the journalist of interfering with the investigation. The journalist was forced to delete part of their photographs and leave the site. Both incidents have drawn condemnation from media rights groups, which have called for urgent internal reviews and disciplinary action against the officers involved.

Press organizations in Mexico have emphasised that such attacks reflect a pattern of police hostility toward journalists, particularly in contexts involving protests or reporting on organized crime. The International Federation of Journalists and local media unions are demanding a full governmental response. They argue that law enforcement personnel must respect press freedom and that journalists have a right to document events in public without fear of retaliation or censorship.

Legal experts note that these assaults violate constitutional protections on freedom of expression and the press. They urge Mexico’s Attorney General and Federal Commission for the Protection of Journalists to open official investigations. In light of sustained violence and intimidation, press advocates are also calling for stronger protective protocols during field reporting, especially in zones where crime and protests intersect.

Journalists in Mexico continue to face threats from multiple sources. These recent cases highlight the added danger posed by state authorities turning on members of the media. Advocacy groups warn that tolerance of such behaviour by police undermines public confidence in accountability and the media’s watchdog role.

References – 

https://ifex.org/journalists-threatened-and-assaulted-by-police-in-mexico-city-and-sinaloa-state/

https://latamjournalismreview.org/news/police-officer-assaults-journalist-in-mexico-investigation-underway/