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July 14, 2025 – Mexico –
In early July 2025, Mexico witnessed the murders of two media workers—Ángel Sevilla and Ronald Paz Pedro—in separate but equally alarming incidents that underscore the country’s ongoing crisis of violence against journalists.
Ángel Sevilla, a digital technician and camera operator affiliated with an independent media outlet, was shot dead in Chilpancingo, Guerrero. Though not a reporter himself, Sevilla played a vital role in media production and distribution. His killing on July 6 adds to a growing list of media-related personnel targeted with deadly violence, illustrating that the dangers extend beyond traditional reporters. Press freedom organizations have expressed outrage, calling for immediate investigations and protection measures for all media workers, not just frontline journalists.
Just two days earlier, on July 4, Ronald Paz Pedro, a municipal police officer who also ran a citizen news page on Facebook called NotiExpress Pedro, was gunned down in Acapulco. Moments before his murder, Paz Pedro had gone live on social media, denouncing an unfinished and dangerous public works project in the Progreso neighborhood. Minutes later, he was ambushed and shot at least 17 times by unknown assailants in broad daylight. The attack happened in full view of the public, further intensifying concerns over impunity.
Paz Pedro had long used his platform to call out local corruption and government failures. His content, often critical of municipal authorities, had previously drawn threats. In 2019, he publicly accused a former security chief of abuse, which reportedly escalated tensions.
These two killings highlight a troubling trend in Mexico, where local and citizen journalists face extreme risks for exposing municipal wrongdoing. According to press watchdogs like Article 19 and Reporters Without Borders, Mexico remains one of the deadliest countries for media workers outside of active war zones. Despite repeated calls for reform, impunity persists in most journalist killings.
The deaths of Sevilla and Paz Pedro serve as stark reminders that not all journalism takes place in newsrooms—and that those using digital platforms to inform the public deserve the same protections as traditional journalists. Their murders demand urgent accountability and stronger mechanisms to defend press freedom at every level.
Reference –
Two digital media workers are murdered in Mexico within two days, in separate incidents
